CPG Operator Podcast

Getting into Whole Foods Market is a major milestone, but it's only the beginning. What follows is the work of proving velocity, maintaining placement, and deciding when and how to grow beyond your first region.

In this episode, Cecilia Rios Murrieta, co-founder of JAS alcohol free functional cocktails, and Jomaree Pinkard, co-founder of Hella Cocktail Co, share what it really takes to grow inside Whole Foods Market. Cecilia discusses JAS launch in ninety five stores through a regional program and the reality of staying on shelf, while Jomaree shares advice based on Hella's journey from regional placement to national distribution.

Cecilia and Jomaree discuss the demos, merchandising, distribution strategy, innovation timing, promo decisions, and navigating buyer relationships to pave the way from regional to national growth.

Scroll through LinkedIn and it can feel like everyone is winning. Skyrocketing growth charts, big announcements, nonstop momentum, and yes, even the cold plunges. Even when you know it's curated, the pressure can still feel very real.

In this episode of the Nombase podcast, wo seasoned CPG leaders cut through that noise with an honest and vulnerable conversation about what building a career and a company actually looks like. Karen Goldscher, founder of Karen Goldscher Coaching and former leader at Annie's, Chobani, and Ben and Jerry's, joins Dan Stangler, President and CEO of Kite Hill and former executive at Brew Dr. and General Mills.

Together, they talk candidly about burnout, confidence, and the behind the scenes decisions that rarely get shared. Find out why honest feedback, clear boundaries, and genuine human connection are essential to sustainable growth.

Private label has become one of the most prominent forces shaping CPG retail today. As retailers face margin pressure, shifting consumer behavior, and increased competition, store brands are no longer an add on. They are a core strategic priority.

We are rerunning this episode with Kim Greenfeld - formerly of Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market, now founder of Campo Verde Solutions. Kim will explain private label business from the retailer's side to help brands understand how and why these decisions are made. You'll hear about how private label plays in assortment strategy, margin management, data ownership, and customer loyalty, and what that means for national and emerging CPG brands competing for shelf space.

Airline partnerships are a unique growth channel for food and beverage brands — and they operate very differently from traditional retail or on-premise sales. They offer unmatched consumer attention, meaningful trial, and widespread visibility, but they also come with their own rules around procurement, logistics, forecasting, and data access.

In this episode, Cy Cain, co-founder of Straightaway Cocktail Co., shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to work with an airline. From pitching and onboarding to forecasting demand, navigating compliance, and scaling operations, you'll find out how airline programs function in practice, and how brands can evaluate whether this channel makes sense for their business.

Amazon is one of the most powerful growth channels for CPG brands, but the rules are change fast. New fulfillment approaches, evolving advertising tools, and deeper access to customer data are reshaping how food and beverage brands compete on the platform.

In this episode with Straight Up Growth, find out what's changing on Amazon heading into 2026 and how those shifts affect growth strategy. The conversation covers grocery and fresh delivery, advertising and measurement updates, and how brands can use data to make smarter decisions about spend, product focus, and long term profitability.

Distributor deductions can be overwhelming, but understanding them is essential to running a healthy CPG business. Jenna Oviedo, founder of JAVE Insights, and Greg Esslinger of Floret. Together they explain the mechanics behind deductions, the patterns that lead to costly mistakes, and the dispute paths that actually work. You'll learn how distributors calculate and apply deductions, why certain fees are unavoidable while others are preventable, and how to manage relationships with supplier managers, buyers, and retailers when issues arise.

In this special crossover episode of the Nombase podcast and Taste Radio, Lucía Conejo Mir of Inés Rosales, the century old Spanish bakery behind the classic torta de aceite, and Jennifer Donnellan of Lakrids by Bülow, the Danish confectionery introducing Americans to chocolate coated licorice, share their journeys bringing their European CPG brands to the United States. One brand has spent decades establishing its presence here, while the other is just beginning its intentional expansion, yet both face similar challenges in adapting heritage products for a new audience, navigating price pressures and logistics, and educating consumers in a crowded market. They open up about the work required to succeed in the U.S. while staying true to the traditions that make their products special.

Cannabis beverage is a growing category but it comes with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Success starts with what you can control, and in this category, that begins with the formulation. SoRSE Technology transforms cannabinoids into safe, stable, water compatible ingredients that make consistent commercial scale beverages possible. Michael Flemmens, Executive Vice President of Research and Technical Business Development at SoRSE, dives deep into the science, operations, and real world challenges behind building cannabis beverages that consumers trust and brands can grow.

TikTok offers a big opportunity for food and beverage brands, but it also brings real challenges. It moves fast, culture shifts daily, and creativity matters more than polish, all while the path from discovery to purchase gets shorter.

In this episode, Mike Westgate, Vertical Director of Food, Beverage and Alcohol at TikTok, shares what he has learned as the platform has grown into a major space for discovery, community, and commerce. He breaks down discovery commerce, the role creators play as an extension of your sales force, the creative tools that help brands produce content efficiently, and the trends shaping what people buy. Mike also touches on organic versus paid content, early mover advantages, and how brands of every size can compete on the platform.

With new regulations expanding the use of glass in spirits-based RTDs and growing consumer demand for clean, quality packaging, glass has reemerged as a strategic advantage. Join the Glass Packaging Institute, Jimmy Bruton of Via Carota, and Sandstrom Partners to learn why glass is non-toxic, inert, and the most sustainable material, especially when domestically made. Discover how glass affects consumer perception, protects product integrity, helps brands innovate and stand out, appeals to health-conscious consumers, and how to navigate its unique challenges.