CPG Operator Podcast

In part one of this two-part series, DAPI founder Maddie Frank teams up with Suite 9C—the design studio behind brands like BodyArmor, Lemon Perfect, and Core Hydration—to rethink her packaging and bring the brand closer to its vision. This episode covers how to make your packaging design work smarter, not harder; how to position a non-alc product in a fast-evolving category; how and why to infuse your brand identity into the design; and how to communicate essential info quickly enough to catch consumers in the moment of purchase.

Jana Goodbaugh of Happy Wolf and Jason Smith, the "Demo Dynamo" from Ithaca Hummus and former Perfect Bar retail lead, share how to turn demos from a cost center into a growth engine. From pinpointing the best sampling days to building a passionate demo team, they reveal insider strategies for driving product discovery, converting samplers into loyal customers, and proving value to retailers through measurable sales impact.

Nicola Buffo, co-founder of Pistachio—a viral pistachio butter brand dominating DTC and expanding in indie retail—is on a mission to decode CPG's "grow slow and steady" mantra. What does smart growth really look like when you're bootstrapped? Pierre Jamet, Fishwife's Chief Sales Officer, shares his ingenious tricks for conserving cash, boosting velocities, and navigating retail's competitive landscape.

At Expo West, everyone was either carrying the Belgian Boys pink bag or talking about it. The line around their booth was for the bag—waffles and pancakes took a backseat. Known for great swag, did Belgian Boys go too big this time? Was it worth the investment? When the bags ran out, did the brand see their show goals realized? Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, reveals whether it paid off and what they learned from the experience.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Expo West 2025 with two key decision-makers: Casey Gaston (Whole Foods Market) and Molly Santuli (Springdale Ventures). They break down standout trends, name breakthrough brands, and reveal what made certain products impossible to ignore. Learn how to network with decision makers like these, secure key meetings, and craft the perfect follow-up for real retail and investment opportunities.

We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place. Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.

The Community Call podcast is taking a short break as we gear up for something big and exciting here at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound. Stay tuned for what's next!

Justin Prochnow, regulatory attorney and partner at Greenberg Traurig, provides an in-depth update on the legal and compliance challenges facing CPG brands. He covers topics from class action lawsuits over product claims and ingredients to emerging state regulations in California, offering insights on navigating compliance, mitigating risks, and preparing for potential changes under the new administration.

Bevnet's Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Kleinman, unpacks the key trends and shifts from 2024, and shares insights on the 2025 investment landscape. We'll discuss the changing M&A and corporate venturing dynamics, and the implications for emerging brands seeking funding. Jeff offers strategic advice for founders on positioning their businesses to attract investor attention, and the importance of financial discipline. We explore how economic conditions affect capital for consumer brands, providing insights into the CPG investment landscape and tips for navigating 2025.

Sherry Frey of Nielsen IQ provides an insider's guide to the 2025 CPG landscape, covering key trends and opportunities. Sherry delves into the latest ingredient and flavor trends, evolving snacking habits, the growing influence of global flavors, and the sustainability factors driving consumer loyalty. Highlights include growth opportunities for small BFY brands, the rising demand for sustainability, trending ingredients like collagen and electrolytes, emerging flavors such as pickle, dragon fruit, and hibiscus, and growing concerns around seed oils.