“Buzz doesn't equal sales. Scale comes when the product, the team and the partners line up.”

In this episode Ruth sits down with Mike Schneider, CMO and product lead at BevNET, the leading voice for emerging food and drink founders. From legacy lessons to cultural shifts, Mike shares what truly makes brands endure in 2026 - and what founders often get wrong when chasing buzz, backing or expansion.

Expect unfiltered takes on:

• Why simplicity always wins in CPG
• How to spot early signals of staying power
• The biggest mistakes UK brands make when they enter the US
• Why purpose is earned, not retrofitted
• The growing rise of cultural and community-led brands
• And what BevNET really looks for when spotlighting founders

Whether you’re a first-time founder, investor, or operator - this one’s packed with insight, energy, and humour (plus a few lessons learned the hard way).