Shelf Help: The Tactical CPG podcast

Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right

Menambahkan eighteen minggu yang lalu

Konten disediakan oleh Adam Steinberg. Semua konten podcast termasuk episode, grafik, dan deskripsi podcast diunggah dan disediakan langsung oleh Adam Steinberg atau mitra platform podcast mereka. Jika Anda yakin seseorang menggunakan karya berhak cipta Anda tanpa izin, Anda dapat mengikuti proses yang diuraikan di sini https://id.player.fm/legal.

Netflix Sports Club Podcast

1
Paul Finebaum's 2025 Natty Pick & Diego Pavia's Heisman Hopes🏆 35:51

7 hari yang lalu35:51

Putar Nanti

Daftar

Suka

Menyukai

35:51

Diego Pavia and Paul Finebaum are this week’s Netflix Sports Club guests. Paul Finebaum, the voice of the SEC, drops a bold national championship prediction that might give the Big Tenners pause, and he reveals which SEC quarterback has him starstruck. Vanderbilt quarterback, Diego Pavia, gives a standout performance on and off the field in SEC Football: Any Given Saturday. He relives that improbable ‘Bama victory, including pre-game routine and why he thinks this victory changed the conversation about Vandy football - sorry Nick Saban. Paul Fineman and Diego Pavia gaze into the crystal ball of the 2025 season, and what do they see? Heisman Trophies, making Auburn pay, and LSU’s chances for glory. In this interview, Vandy QB, Diego Pavia: 🟥 Details the 2024 Vandy vs. ‘Bama Buildup 🟥 Discusses playing for Coach Lea and with his bestie 🟥 Reveals his true height In this interview, SEC Expert, Paul Finebaum answers: 🟥 Why the SEC’s staying power is unrivaled? 🟥 Who’s almost a bigger star than Taylor Swift? 🟥 Which team will win the 2025 National Championship? 00:00 Intro 01:24 Vandy QB Diego Pavia Is a Star 01:37 Beating Bama 03:19 Choosing Vandy And Coach Lea 04:58 Give Me The Ball 06:20 Dude Put In The Work 07:38 Nick Saban Said What?? 08:20 Underdogs 10:22 Watch Out Auburn 12:33 Recruits: Come To Vandy! 13:29 Kay and Dani Talk SEC 15:54 Paul Finebaum’s SEC Picks 16:40 All About Arch Manning 17:23 SEC: The Only Game In Town 18:25 South Carolina Should Be In The Playoffs 19:40 Shane Beamer Bounce Back? 20:14 Arch Manning Is No Taylor Swift 21:42 The Weight of Being a Manning 22:31 Finebaum: “Best Player Since Tim Tebow” 23:20 LSU QB1 + Championship Or Bust 25:39 Post Saban Alabama 27:42 Is Vanderbilt Legit? 28:44 Can Mississippi State Survive? 29:49 The Vols “Will Struggle This Year” 31:44 SEC: Natty. Little Tenners: Nothing 33:09 Outro 34:28 Up Next - America’s Team: The Gambler And His Cowboys 🏈 Diego Pavia Instagram - https://bit.ly/45uLND4 TikTok - http://bit.ly/4fsLY5p X - https://bit.ly/4ldwx2j 🏈 Vanderbilt Instagram - http://bit.ly/4lfo8eu X - http://bit.ly/4mCiaWt YouTube - @vucommodores 🏈 Paul Finebaum Instagram - https://bit.ly/45kVtPv X - https://bit.ly/46JQFWc 🎙️ Kay Adams Instagram - http://bit.ly/3GYp4Go TikTok - http://bit.ly/4m7KmR9 X - http://bit.ly/45nI2Ou 🎙️ Dani Klupenger Instagram - https://bit.ly/3HeGGxx TikTok - https://bit.ly/4lQSBkl X - https://bit.ly/4lWpufr 🟥 Netflix Sports Instagram - http://bit.ly/45CPAhL TikTok - http://bit.ly/4mti6Ia X - http://bit.ly/4mseqGH Facebook - http://bit.ly/45o5xqK YouTube - @NetflixSports We want to hear from you! Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/NetflixSportsClub Be sure to watch, listen, and subscribe to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Tudum, and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by Kay Adams, the Netflix Sports Club Podcast is an all-access deep dive into the Netflix Sports Universe. Join Kay as she speaks with athletes, coaches, and top sports correspondents to break down the latest Netflix Sports series. Expect bold opinions, insightful analysis, and candid conversations you won’t find anywhere else.…

Shelf Help: The Tactical CPG Podcast

Beranda serial•Feed

If you’ve ever thought, "Why doesn’t anyone talk about this in CPG?", this is the podcast for you. Host, Adam Steinberg, co-founder of KitPrint, interviews CPG leaders to uncover the real-world tactics, strategies, and behind-the-scenes insights that really move the needle.

31 episode

#Business #Adam Steinberg

Shelf Help: The Tactical CPG Podcast

updated 3 hari yang lalu

Beranda serial•Feed

31 episode

#Business #Adam Steinberg

Semua episode

1
Hank Watt - Securing a Deal on Shark Tank With a West African Berry 23:53

3 hari yang lalu23:53

23:53

On this episode, we’re joined by Hank Watt , Co-founder of Nature’s Wild Berry , the miracle fruit brand that transforms sour and bitter foods into sweet, candy-like treats - without sugar or artificial sweetener s. After losing 80 lbs and reversing pre-diabetes using miracle berries to sweeten his green juices, Hank teamed up with chef Juliano Bonanni to launch a business around this West African fruit. Today, Nature’s Wild Berry is riding a wave of viral content, Amazon success, and a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner on Shark Tank . Hank breaks down the origin story, what happened leading up to Shark Tank and after the episode aired, and why he’s deliberately holding off on retail until the brand reaches mass awareness. We also dig how Gary Vaynerchuk and his team changed their growth plan. Episode Highlights: 🍋 Losing 80 lbs thanks to the miracle berry 📺 How Shark Tank changed the game overnight 📦 Why Amazon is their core channel (and what Hank learned about product reviews) 🏪 When retail expansion makes sense—and when it doesn’t 🎥 Gary V’s UGC growth advice 🧪 New formats, clinical use cases, and the long-term vision 📈 Trends Hank is watching in sugar reduction, functional ingredients, and consumer behavior Table of Contents: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:54:05 – Nature’s Wild Berry origin story and the magic behind the berry 07:13:18 – The Shark Tank experience 11:00:04 – Focusing on Amazon 16:27:18 – Expanding into retail 19:23:08 – Gary V’s UGC recommendation 21:18:12 – Product roadmap 22:45:13 – Brands and trends Hank is tracking Links: Nature’s Wild Berry – https://www.natureswildberry.com Follow Hank on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hankwatt/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Need CPG production design support? Check out https://www.kitprint.co/…

1
Alex Witt - From the Battlefield to Bars 54:45

7 hari yang lalu54:45

54:45

On this episode, we’re joined by Alex Witt , Co-founder and CEO of Battle Bars , a fast-growing, veteran-owned protein bar brand known for its Rice Krispie-like texture and nostalgic flavors. A Navy veteran turned entrepreneur, Alex has taken Battle Bars from a side hustle to a multi-million-dollar brand with nationwide distribution. Alex shares how he and his co-founder took inspiration from childhood snacks and Muscle Milk to create a new format in the crowded bar category. He unpacks the hard-earned lessons from their co-packer journey - including five months of production shutdown - and how they ultimately became part owners of their new co-packer to enable more control and to create aligned incentives. We dig into fundraising, the evolution of their packaging identity, and how Battle Bars leverages gyms (including Alex’s own) as a launchpad and feedback loop. Alex also reflects on what brands get wrong about scaling and why he pulled back from Meta and Google ad spend. Episode Highlights: 🍫 Battle Bars’ nostalgic taste strategy (and Muscle Milk inspiration) 🛠️ Surviving co-packer hell and becoming a minority owner 🥥 Reformulating with coconut oil and the cost realities 🏋️ Gyms as both a testing ground and a beachhead 🚀 Why growing too fast nearly killed the business 🎯 Lessons from breaking into traditional retail 📦 Packaging that stands out and signals “indulgence” 💰 Fundraising, paid media pullbacks, and retail velocity focus 🔥 The brand Alex is most hyped on right now (that’s not his) Table of Contents: 00:00:00 – Intro 01:19:19 – Battle Bars origin story 04:28:03 – The transition from the military to entrepreneurship 10:43:17 – Formulation and flavor, Muscle Milk as an inspiration 16:38:05 – The marshmallow crisp technology, navigating co-packer “hell” 21:18:10 – Becoming a minority owner in their new co-packer 22:25:06 – Vetting co-packers, trusting your gut 28:04:21 – Shifting from canola oil to coconut oil, evolving the formulation, cost implications 31:28:19 – Gyms (including the ones Alex owns) as a beachhead and a testing ground 35:34:24 – Selling into gyms vs. traditional retail 38:14:03 – Breaking into retail: learning lessons and recommendations 40:02:20 – Growing too fast is a problem 42:57:01 – Visual identity and packaging design 44:22:18 – Fundraising 48:07:12 – Backing off from Meta and Google 49:41:01 – The brand he’s most hyped on (that’s not Battle Bars) Links: Battle Bars – https://www.battlebars.com Follow Alex on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-witt-6a7a8b7a/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support…

1
Brittney Cook - Building the Next Great Cookie Dough Brand 29:28

10 hari yang lalu29:28

29:28

On this episode, we’re joined by Brittney Cook , the Co‑Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Something Sweet , a family‑run frozen cookie dough brand that’s redefining indulgence with clean ingredients and a heartfelt mission. Brittney and her mom and sisters turned a deeply personal loss into a business that delivers small‑batch, brown‑butter cookie dough you can bake straight from the freezer. In just a few years, they’ve gone from hand‑scooping dough at home to landing in over 100 retail doors while keeping their faith, family, and product integrity at the center of everything they do. Brittney walks through building a brand with her family, the operational decisions behind choosing frozen over refrigerated, and how she tweaked formulation for scale without sacrificing quality. She shares why brown butter is their secret weapon, how they developed their visual identity, and what it takes to plan and execute a successful retail launch. We also dive into why velocity is more important than door count, tactics to drive sell‑through, demo strategies that scale, and the trends Brittney is tracking in the CPG space. Episode Highlights: 🍪 The origin story behind Something Sweet Dough 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Building a business with her mom and two sisters ❄️ Frozen vs. refrigerated cookie dough ⚙️ Tweaking the formulation for scale 🧈 Why brown butter is a differentiator 🚀 Scaling up while staying small‑batch 🎨 Visual identity and packaging design choices 🛒 Expanding into retail and planning for launch 📈 Why velocity should be your north star 📦 Tactics and demo strategies that drive velocity 🔎 Trends Brittney is watching in CPG Table of Contents: 00:20:20 – Something Sweet origin story 02:37:24 – Building a business with her mom and two sisters 06:24:09 – Frozen vs. refrigerated cookie dough 07:34:04 – Tweaking the formulation for scale 08:19:18 – Why brown butter 11:14:18 – Scaling up 12:31:20 – Visual identity and packaging design 17:44:22 – Expanding into retail 20:31:12 – How to plan for a retail launch 22:14:15 – Why velocity should be the north star, how to grow at the right pace 24:39:01 – Tactics to drive velocity 26:07:28 – Demo strategies that scale 28:51:02 – Trends Brittney is tracking Links: Something Sweet Dough – https://www.somethingsweetdough.com/ Follow Brittney on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittneycook/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Need help with packaging & production design? Check out https://www.kitprint.co/…

1
Michael Marra - Designing Retail Stores to Maximize Revenue 36:00

15 hari yang lalu36:00

36:00

On this episode, we’re joined by Michael Marra , the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Budder Creative , the agency behind modular fixture systems like Budder Groove™ and some of the most immersive dispensary retail spaces in North America. With roots in industrial design for global beauty and apparel brands, Michael has spent the last decade translating “best-of-CPG” shopper insights into a regulated, ever-evolving dispensary landscape. Michael unpacks how Budder productized retail hardware, why budtenders shouldn’t carry the merchandising load, and where he thinks brick-and-mortar is headed as the category matures. Episode Highlights: 🪑 Translating big-brand retail lessons to cannabis 🛒 Crafting the ideal dispensary customer journey 🏬 500-sq-ft bodegas vs 20 k-sq-ft megastores—design levers that change 🧑‍💼 “Budtenders are not your merchandising strategy” 🛍️ Building a profitable, brand-driven shop-in-shop 💄 What cannabis can steal from beauty retail 🔧 Budder’s plug-and-play POP tools for faster roll-outs 🏗️ The future of physical stores in an omni-channel world 📈 Trends Michael’s watching for 2025 and beyond Table of Contents: 00:56 – Budder intro & origin story 03:02 – Designing retail for the world’s biggest brands → dispensaries 07:16 – Mapping the ideal customer journey inside a dispensary 11:53 – Designing a small bodega-style dispensary vs a megastore 17:26 – “Budtenders are not your merchandising strategy” 19:26 – How to build a successful shop-in-shop 23:16 – Beauty retail vs dispensaries 25:45 – Budder’s plug-and-play POP tools 32:12 – The future of physical retail stores 34:50 – Trends to watch Links: Budder Creative – https://www.buddercreative.com Follow Michael on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-marra-9033338/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Need help with CPG production design? Visit https://www.kitprint.co/ 🚀…

1
Luke Montgomery-Smith - Reinventing Hydration (and Ditching the Bottles and Cans!) 43:06

17 hari yang lalu43:06

43:06

On this episode, we’re joined by Luke Montgomery‑Smith , Co‑founder of Plink! , the effervescent hydration tablet brand that’s rethinking what it means to enjoy a drink without the waste of bottles or cans. Before launching Plink!, Luke co‑founded Wild Fizz Kombucha, a multi‑award‑winning beverage that saw early success before the pandemic forced a shutdown. Now, as a second‑time founder , he’s bringing those hard‑won lessons into a new category. Luke dives deep into how he’s building Plink! as a second-time founder, how they nailed a distinct packaging form factor, and how to stand out and win in a crowded market. We explore everything from designing for impulse purchases to the realities of working with retailers like GNC, plus how to scale a demo and sampling strategy. Episode Highlights: 🚀 How second‑time founders approach growth differently 🎯 Standing out in a crowded category with unique positioning 📦 Designing a packaging form factor that drives trial 🎨 Visual identity that sparks curiosity and shelf appeal 🛒 Creating packaging for impulse purchases 🔑 “Trojan Horse” messaging that drives adoption 🛤️ Go‑to‑market strategy and early traction 🏬 Winning at GNC 📈 Retailer velocity expectations and what sets them apart 🥤 Demoing and sampling strategies that convert Table of Contents: 00:52:57 – Plink origin story 03:59:07 – Launching Plink after shutting down Wild Fizz Kombucha 07:25:22 – Learning lessons as a second time founder 09:57:24 – Standing out in a crowded market 13:52:18 – Nailing down a unique packaging form factor 19:26:00 – Visual identity and packaging design 22:43:09 – Designing for the impulse purchase 25:17:01 – Messaging, positioning, “Trojan Horse” 28:19:14 – Go-to-market 31:32:00 – Launching in GNC 35:13:15 – Retailer differences, velocity expectations 37:51:05 – Demos and sampling at scale Links: Plink! – https://drinkplink.com Follow Luke on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukejms/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Need help with packaging & production design? – Check out https://www.kitprint.co/…

1
Mitesh Patel - Leading Creative Direction For 12 In-house Brands 24:32

22 hari yang lalu24:32

24:32

On this episode, we’re joined by Mitesh Patel , the Senior Director of Creative & Design at High Tide Inc. , one of Canada’s largest and most diversified cannabis companies. Mitesh oversees all creative across High Tide’s portfolio, which includes over 200 retail locations under banners like Canna Cabana plus global ecommerce and accessories brands like Grasscity , Smoke Cartel , and Daily High Club . Before joining High Tide, Mitesh led the creative vision at Famous Brandz , where he developed licensed cannabis accessories for Snoop Dogg , Jay & Silent Bob , and Hellboy . Mitesh breaks down how High Tide builds a cohesive creative system across dozens of banners and channels. He explains how his team balances compliance with brand storytelling, how in‑house creative drives speed and consistency, and why retail design plays a bigger role in cannabis than most people think. Episode Highlights: 🏪 Building a design system for 200+ cannabis stores 🎨 Why High Tide keeps creative in-house 📦 Balancing compliance and creativity in packaging 🔥 Launching IP collaborations with major pop culture brands 🌍 Adapting cannabis retail for international markets 💼 The day-to-day of running a lean, high-output design team 🧰 Tools and workflows that keep creative moving 📈 What retail designers get wrong about ROI 🛠️ Mitesh’s transition from editorial design to global cannabis 🚀 How creative can drive strategy in CPG retail Table of Contents: 00:00 – Intro & High Tide overview 02:00 – How Mitesh manages his time to oversee creative of multiple brands 04:15 – Designing retail stores for speed & consistency 08:40 – High Tide’s core consumer and how to resonate with them 10:20 – Tips for designing dispensaries 16:15 – Tips for designing packaging for cannabis accessories 20:40 – Learning lessons from leading creative teams Links: High Tide – https://www.hightideinc.com Follow Mitesh on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pt902/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.…

1
Paulo Sobral - The Hemp Beverage Playbook 37:17

24 hari yang lalu37:17

37:17

On this episode, we’re joined by Paulo Lacerda Sobral , the CEO of Lolli Soda - classic soda, remixed with cannabis. Lolli focuses on legacy flavors like Cherry Cola, Grape Soda, and Orange Soda. Paulo honed his beverage chops at big names like PepsiCo and Sierra Nevada Brewing before diving into the cannabis beverage space. He brings deep expertise in beverage manufacturing, distribution strategy, and regulatory navigation - plus a clear-eyed take on what it’s really going to take to make THC drinks go mainstream. Paulo shares what inspired the creation of Lolli, why he isn’t trying to disrupt soda, and the future of cannabis beverages in retail. We talk through the real costs behind hemp beverage ops and why so many brands fail to focus on quality. Episode Highlights: 🥤 Why Lolli is “classics remixed,” not wellness-forward 🏭 Lessons from Pepsi and Sierra Nevada in scaling ops 🌱 The challenge of THC beverage regulation state-by-state 💸 Real talk: tolling costs, margins, and cold-chain myths 🛒 Why convenience stores are a sleeping giant for cannabis 📦 The importance of shelf stability and flavor-first development 🧠 Navigating burnout and founder identity in the cannabis world 📈 How to get distributors and retailers to actually care 🎯 Why beverages require IRL sampling, not just DTC funnels Table of Contents: 00:00 – Intro & Texas hemp regulation discussion 03:00 – What inspired Lolli + Paulo’s journey from Pepsi to pot 07:00 – The state of cannabis and hemp beverage 13:00 – “Traditional” beverage vs cannabis and hemp beverage 17:00 – What makes a great THC soda (formulation + flavor) 19:10 – C-stores 23:19 – The on-premise channel 24:45 – DTC 30:00 – Who should your first hire be in cannabis and hemp beverage? Links: Lolli - https://www.drinklolli.com Follow Paulo on LinkedIn – Follow me on LinkedIn – Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support.…

1
Brandon Castaneda & Ben Amaya - $25M in Year 1 via TikTok Shop 49:04

28 hari yang lalu49:04

49:04

On this episode, we’re joined by Brandon Castaneda , Co-founder and CEO of EZ Bombs - a breakout Hispanic food brand that went from zero to $20 million in just one year by turning traditional Mexican recipes into viral “bath bombs” - and B en Amaya , the brand’s Director of Marketing . What started in Brandon’s mom’s kitchen exploded on TikTok Shop , where EZ Bombs quickly became the #1 food brand on the platform . Built on an authentic birria recipe, a family-first ethos, and a network of over 10,000 affiliate creators , the brand has rewritten the playbook on viral food and modern CPG growth. Brandon and Ben share the full blueprint behind EZ Bombs’ rocketship trajectory - from finding and scaling with the right co-packer to managing 245,000 monthly orders , building a creator army , and preparing for national retail . We dig into packaging strategy , flavor formulation , TikTok algorithms , and the biggest mistakes brands make when they try to scale without a community. Episode Highlights: 🌮 The viral origin story behind EZ Bombs 📦 What Brandon looks for in a great co-packer 📱 TikTok Shop mechanics that still work today 🎯 How to get creator content that actually converts 🔥 Designing for retail and the feed 🥘 Flavor formulation & CPG product dev 101 🛒 Winning the shelf: where EZ Bombs fits in-store 💸 Fundraising strategy and brand positioning 🧠 Mistakes most food founders make on TikTok Table of Contents: 00:00 – Intro 00:54 – EZ Bombs Intro and launch story 03:21 – Family business dynamics 10:37 – Exploding on TikTok Shop 12:59 – Scaling up with a co-packer 15:39 – Seeing the TikTok Shop opportunity early 17:25 – Recommendations for launching via TikTok Shop today 22:53 – Product dev and formulation 27:27 – Nailing down a co-packer 31:57 – Packaging design 38:20 – Expanding into retail 42:51 – Fitting into the right aisle 45:12 – Fundraising Links: EZ Bombs – https://www.ezbombs.com Follow Brandon on LinkedIn – Brandon Castaneda Follow Ben on LinkedIn – Ben Amaya Follow me on LinkedIn – Adam Steinberg Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.…

1
Kyle Peters - From Entrepreneur to Intrapreneur at Jack Link's 1:01:14

4 weeks yang lalu1:01:14

1:01:14

On this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Peters , the Senior Director of Emerging Brands at Jack Link’s , where he leads brand strategy, P&L, and innovation across a portfolio of growth-stage and incubation brands - including Golden Island, Jack Link’s Chili, and more. Kyle brings a unique lens to scaling emerging brands within a legacy organization, drawing on his experience as a founder of a high-protein ice cream startup and as a former growth leader at Nestlé’s R&D Accelerator. We dive into navigating the post-founder journey, how to be a good partner to a distributor, and what makes for a truly scalable product strategy. We dive deep into COGS, margin planning, and when (if ever) it makes sense to vertically integrate. Plus: emerging CPG trends from the guy leading the emerging trends at Jack Link’s. Episode Highlights: 🥩 Inside Jack Link’s emerging brand strategy 🧊 The post-founder handoff playbook 🏭 Copacker sourcing tips + trusted directories 📉 Tradeoffs when moving from self-manufacturing 📦 Packaging design lessons + rebrand advice 🚚 How to work with your distributor, not against them 💸 What C-store buyers expect, and how to deliver 📊 Forecasting margin erosion the right way 🔥 Trends Kyle is watching in protein and beyond Table of Contents: 01:00 – Jack Links’ emerging brands portfolio 08:54 – The post-founder journey 21:29 – Copackers 24:18 – Where to find copackers 27:23 – Moving from self-manufacturing, tradeoffs in scaling 31:37 – If/when to vertically integrate 33:36 – Product mix strategy 39:23 – Being a good partner to distributors 43:18 – A distributor’s expected hit to your margin 44:43 – Projecting COGS and margins 46:51 – The C-store channel 50:47 – Packaging design: what matters 53:48 – When to rebrand 56:40 – Emerging trends from the emerging trends guy 57:46 – Why protein is exploding right now Links: Jack Link’s – https://www.jacklinks.com Follow Kyle on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylempeters/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.…

1
Chris Bauer - A Masterclass On Co-packers 45:44

5 weeks yang lalu45:44

45:44

On this episode, we’re joined by Chris Bauer , CFO at Catapult Commercialization Services , the product development and commercialization “fixer” for the CPG industry - from R&D and formulation to supply chain setup, manufacturing, co-packers, and go-to-market strategy. Chris provides a masterclass on the world of co-packers. He breaks down how to actually pick the right co-packer, how to structure the agreement, why so many brand-owner expectations go sideways, and what good looks like when it comes to transparency, contracts, and operational readiness. We talk about why most brands are over-optimistic about production timelines, what co-mans won’t tell you, and how to spot the red flags before you sign. Plus: whether it’s better to use a single turnkey partner or build a modular supply chain with separate vendors for R&D, production, and fulfillment. Episode Highlights: 🏗️ What Catapult Commercialization Services actually does 🔍 How to find and approach the right co-packer 💬 Getting a co-manufacturer to take you seriously 🧪 Vetting co-packers without relying on vibes 📝 What should (and shouldn’t) be in your co-man agreement 🔒 How to protect your IP before you scale 📉 Avoiding runaway COGs before it's too late ⚠️ “Take or Pay” clauses and how to negotiate around them 👩‍🍳 Going from kitchen-made to co-manufactured 📊 What KPIs you should track with your co-man Table of Contents: 00:05:30 – Sourcing co-packers 00:10:44 – How to properly vet co-packers 00:13:30 – Structuring a co-packer agreement 00:16:58 – Protecting your IP 00:21:03 – How to avoid runaway COGs 00:30:13 – Tracking co-packer KPIs 00:33:38 – Risk planning Links: Catapult Commercialization – https://www.catapultservices.com Follow Chris on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-bauer-4623b55a/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support…

1
Sorosh Tavakoli - An Exited Tech Founder’s Second Act in CPG 47:07

6 weeks yang lalu47:07

47:07

On this episode we’re joined by serial entrepreneur , Sorosh Tavakoli , the Founder and CEO of Stockeld Dreamery , a bold food-tech brand reinventing cheese without animals, using fermentation and legumes (this ain’t your typical plant-based cheese). Stockeld first launched in food service with their own take on cream cheese and MELT, sliced yellow cheese that actually melts. A big retail push is now under way. We dig into brand positioning, go-to-market strategy, raising ~$25M out the gate, the decision to prioritize quality over speed, and what it takes to build trust with both chefs and consumers in a category with an historically terrible reputation. Episode Highlights: 🧀 Stockeld’s mission to reinvent cheese without animals 🌱 Why quality is key in the “third wave” of plant-based dairy 🍔 How they launched through iconic NYC foodservice spots 📦 Packaging and messaging in a skeptical category 🏭 Building a pilot plant and scaling fermentation tech 📊 Category stagnation and where innovation is heading 🛒 Preparing to scale the retail channel 💰 Raising ~$25M out the gate Table of Contents: 01:05 – Intro, Sorosh’s Background, Origin Story 03:05 – Products in Market 05:50 – Building in CPG as a Former Exited Tech Entrepreneur 08:06 – Commercialization 13:50 – Why Legumes 17:00 – Launching in Food Service 27:40 – Kicking Things Off With Distributors 31:30 – Packaging Design 40:48 – Raising ~$25M Out the Gate Links: Stockeld Dreamery – https://www.stockeld.com Follow Stockeld – https://www.instagram.com/stockeld_dreamery/ Follow Sorosh on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorosh/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support…

1
Andrew Thomas - Rebranding a $400M Meat Snack Leader 44:18

6 weeks yang lalu44:18

44:18

On this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Thomas , VP of Marketing at Archer , the fast-growing meat snack brand formerly known as Country Archer . With a new name, bold new packaging, and a fresh retail strategy, Archer is repositioning itself from niche natural to mainstream powerhouse on track to hit ~$400M in sales in 2025. Prior to Archer, Andrew led marketing at brands like KeVita , PepsiCo , and Chicken of the Sea In this episode, he breaks down the strategy behind dropping “Country,” the rebrand process from beginning to end, and what it takes to execute a full pack change across mass, club, and natural channels. We also dive deep into how to win and what’s changing at Target, Walmart and Whole Foods, and C-stores, and how Andrew uses an “agency recruiter”. Episode Highlights: 🎯 Why the name “Country Archer” had to go 📦 How Archer’s new cream-and-orange packs were built for shelf impact 🏪 What mass retailers want to see before approving a packaging change 🛒 Multipack strategy for club vs. conventional grocery 🔄 Resetting 30,000+ facings without breaking everything 📈 How to time a national rebrand to hit seasonal buyer resets 🚫 The flavor that didn’t make the cut—and what replaced it 💬 Key language shifts that helped Archer win broader household appeal 🔥 Tactics for launching new SKUs in Target and Walmart 📊 Retailer scorecards, velocity benchmarks, and what buyers really care about Table of Contents: 04:11 – Why the Rebrand 07:04 – Rebrand: Visual ID and Packaging Design 21:40 – Rebrand: ExpoWest Launch 24:40 – Rebrand: Key Metrics 26:16 – Rebrand: Packaging Changeover 37:05 – The Difference Between the Key Retailers 42:10 – Trends Links: Archer – https://www.archerjerky.com Follow Andrew on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-j-thomas/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.…

1
Bryan Shelton - Bringing a CPG Mindset to a 100-Year Old Produce Brand 35:39

7 weeks yang lalu35:39

35:39

On this episode, we’re joined by Bryan Shelton , the VP of Sales & Marketing at Giorgio Fresh — the largest grower, shipper, distributor of fresh mushrooms. Before joining Giorgio, Bryan held senior sales roles at legacy CPG companies like Del Monte , Pinnacle Foods , and Kellogg . At Giorgio, he’s leading a modern transformation of a nearly 100-year-old company, pushing mushrooms into the spotlight with value-added innovations like stuffed mushrooms, savory sauté kits, and new grill-friendly formats. We dive into how Bryan’s background in frozen and shelf-stable CPG informs his strategy in fresh produce, the challenges of building a brand around what’s often seen as a commodity, and how Giorgio is repositioning mushrooms as the ultimate superfood. Bryan shares lessons on launching new SKUs with limited shelf life, how to avoid landmines in the foodservice channel, the tradeoffs of packaging refreshes, and why being great at the fundamentals — quality, service, relationships — still wins in produce. Episode Highlights: 🍄 The 100-year story of Giorgio and its global reach 📦 Building brand equity in a category most people consider unbranded 🛠️ Why packaging form factor matters more than you think in produce 🧑‍🌾 How shelf life, QA, and crop cycles change how you sell 📈 “Yes, if…” — Bryan’s philosophy for navigating retail requests 🚚 What goes wrong when brands scale too early 🍴 Why foodservice is a low-barrier brand flywheel 🧠 The product launch framework Giorgio uses 🧃 The origin story of Giorgio’s global bottling business ⚖️ Why your best work won’t always show up in your year-end numbers Table of Contents: 00:00 – Bryan’s background and Giorgio overview 04:00 – Key differences between CPG and produce 07:00 – Brand-building in commodity-driven categories 10:00 – Shelf life, retail strategy & e-comm influence 14:00 – Product innovation, testing, and scale challenges 20:00 – Packaging design: visibility, structure & sustainability 25:00 – Foodservice vs. retail: how to think about each 30:00 – Mistakes, mentorship & leadership lessons 34:00 – Why mushrooms are the world’s most underrated superfood Links: Giorgio Fresh – https://www.giorgiofresh.com Follow Bryan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-shelton-14b45413/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support…

1
Ryan Gill - How to Win in Off-Premise Wine & Spirits Retail 55:09

7 weeks yang lalu55:09

55:09

On this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Gill , the Director of Marketing at Three Chord Bourbon , and a spirits industry veteran with deep roots in off-premise retail. Before joining the team at Three Chord, Ryan spent over a decade running top-tier off-premise locations across the South, managing $XXM+ stores and building high-performance teams. That front-line retail experience gave him a rare lens on what really moves bottles - insights he now brings to one of the fastest-growing bourbon brands in the U.S. Ryan unpacks how his time on the floor shaped his philosophy on brand building , distributor management , and the power of field marketing . He shares tactical advice for emerging brands trying to stand out on crowded shelves, plus his playbook for training retail staff , building local market awareness, and executing limited drops that actually drive velocity. We also dive into Three Chord’s unique origin story, why music plays into their blending process, and how they’re scaling into 40+ states while staying connected to the whiskey community. Episode Highlights: 🏪 What 10 years in off-premise retail taught Ryan about winning in spirits 📊 Why so many brands misunderstand the off-premise buyer 🛒 Tactical tips for activating in retail without huge budgets 🏀 How spirits distribution has become like the NBA 🥃 How Three Chord Bourbon trains retailers to become brand evangelists 🎸 From guitar riffs to mash bills: Three Chord’s musical roots 📍 Building a national brand with limited resources 🔁 Navigating the 3-tier system from the brand side 🧃 Lessons in merchandising, demos, and field marketing Table of Contents: 00:00 – Intro & Retail Background 05:00 – Lessons from Off-Premise Retail & Frontline Sales 12:00 – Joining Three Chord & Shifting to Brand Side 18:30 – Field Marketing & Retail Training 25:00 – Limited Drops & Community Building 30:00 – Scaling Distribution with Focus 40:00 – Final Thoughts & Industry Advice Links: Three Chord Bourbon – https://www.threechordbourbon.com Follow Ryan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-gill-3chord/ Follow me on LinkedIn – Adam Steinberg Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support…

1
Tara Foster - The COO Playbook for Scaling from Zero to Nine Figures 34:42

8 weeks yang lalu34:42

34:42

On this episode, we’re joined by Tara Foster , the COO of Evergreen (a better-for-you waffle brand), and the former COO of nutpods . Tara was part of the founding team at nutpods, where she helped scale the plant-based creamer brand to a nine-figure run rate and the #2 brand in the category. With over a decade of experience across ingredient sourcing, supply chain strategy, and operational leadership, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Tara dives into her co-manufacturing playbook. From evaluating partners and negotiating agreements to scaling production without losing control, she unpacks what most brands get wrong about COGS, how to manage risk through supplier redundancy, how ops teams evolve as brands scale, what she learned from bumpier moments like warehouse moves and formulation changes, and why continuous improvement is key. Episode Highlights: 🥥 Scaling nutpods to a nine-figure brand 🏭 What to look for in a great co-manufacturer ⚠️ “Take or pay” clauses and how to avoid them 🚚 Hidden costs that destroy your margin 📦 Packaging decisions that drive retail success 📉 Redundancy and de-risking the supply chain 📊 Forecasting COGS with real-world benchmarks 🚀 When it does make sense to vertically integrate 👥 Hiring your first ops lead vs. building a full team Table of Contents: 00:00 – Intro & Evergreen Overview 02:00 – Early nutpods Journey & Co-Man Lessons 06:00 – How to Source and Pitch a Co-Packer 10:00 – Scaling, Formulation Shifts, and Loss of Control 14:00 – Supplier Redundancy & Risk Mitigation 18:00 – COGS, Margins & Avoiding Common Pitfalls 21:00 – New Product Launch Best Practices 24:00 – Packaging for Efficiency vs. Shelf Appeal 28:00 – COO Role Evolution from Startup to Scale 33:00 – Trends Tara’s Watching in CPG 34:00 – Where to Follow Tara & Evergreen Links: Evergreen – https://www.eatevergreen.com Follow Tara on LinkedIn – Tara Foster Follow me on LinkedIn – Adam Steinberg Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.…

Shelf Help: The Tactical CPG Podcast

1
Lex Evan of Lexington Bakes – Building a Dessert Brand as a Solo Founder 42:20

18 weeks yang lalu42:20

42:20

On this episode, we’re joined by Lex Evan, the Founder and CEO of Lexington Bakes. My audio isn't great so apologies in advance.... Lexington Bakes is a radically transparent dessert brand crafting nostalgic American treats with organic and fair-trade ingredients. What started as a pandemic side hustle quickly grew into a national CPG brand known for its bold design, clean labels, and radically honest sourcing. From $5,000 in brownie pre-sales and a self-built Shopify store to landing in Erewhon, Foxtrot, and scaling toward 1,000 retail doors, Lex has built Lexington Bakes into a category-defining brand with just one full-time employee: himself. In this episode, Lex shares how his background in design and brand strategy shaped the business, how he's preparing to scale with a co-manufacturer, why ingredient integrity is non-negotiable. We chat with Lex about how to pitch retailers, package for impact, navigate a solo founder journey, and his recent journey to raising a $1M seed round. Episode Highlights: 🍫 How a $50 brownie box launched the brand 📦 Designing a brand rooted in emotional connection 🌱 Why Lexington Bakes lists its ingredient partners on every package 🧁 The “No Naughty Ingredients™” standard 🔧 Moving from kitchen to co-manufacturer 🛒 What retailers actually want to see in a pitch 🎨 Packaging tips from a J&J design alum 🚀 How Lex is scaling while staying solo 💰 Fundraising as a first-time founder 💡 Why being “great to work with” is Lex’s superpower ⏱️ Table of Contents 00:00 – Intro & Origin Story 03:00 – Radical Ingredient Transparency 06:00 – Brand Building & Solo Founder Journey 10:00 – Packaging Design Advice 14:00 – Co-Manufacturing & Scaling Production 21:00 – Retail Strategy & Launching in Stores 28:00 – Fundraising & Investor Tips 40:00 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Lex Links: Lexington Bakes – https://www.lexingtonbakes.com Follow Lex on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexevan/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.…

Selamat datang di Player FM!

Player FM memindai web untuk mencari podcast berkualitas tinggi untuk Anda nikmati saat ini. Ini adalah aplikasi podcast terbaik dan bekerja untuk Android, iPhone, dan web. Daftar untuk menyinkronkan langganan di seluruh perangkat.

Dengarkan 500+ topik

Bounty Quick Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Rolls = 20 Regular Rolls

Mini Mic Pro (Latest Model) - Professional Wireless Microphone for iPhone, iPad, Android, Lavalier Microphone for Video Recording - iPhone Mic Crystal Clear Recording with USB-C for Content Creators

Mighty Patch™ Original patch from Hero Cosmetics – The #1 Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch for Shrinking Zits and Whiteheads in 1 use; Nighttime Spot Stickers for Face and Skin (36 Count)

Podcast Layak Disimak

Shelf Help: The Tactical CPG Podcast

Shelf Help: The Tactical CPG Podcast

Podcast Layak Disimak

Selamat datang di Player FM!

TERRO Ant Killer Bait Stations T300B - Liquid Bait to Eliminate Ants - Bait System - 12 Count Stations for Effective Indoor Ant Control

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

Bounty Paper Towels Quick Size, White, 16 Family Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls

Microsoft Office Home 2024 | Classic Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint | One-Time Purchase for 1 PC/MAC | Instant Download | Formerly Home & Student 2021 [PC/Mac Online Code]

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

Panduan Referensi Cepat