CPG Vibes

This week Wade returns from a week off and we will be doing what we do best: No Script, Just Chat!

This is our next edition of the random babble series. We cover anything and everything CPG related and items that are even outside of CPG. Just Alex and Wade talking shop!

We will shout out comments and questions from the viewers as always. Enjoy!

This week we are bringing back our coveted Master Series and are bringing on seasoned investors and growth experts in the CPG space.

Our guests are investors, advisors, and partners in CPG brands and they are highly skilled at supporting brands for scale with proper strategy and capital.

We are bringing on:

Jeff Lichtenstein - CEO - Next In Natural

Michael Bush - Managing Partner - GrowthWay Partners

Mike Fata - CPG Investor/Advisor

Whether you are growing your own CPG brand, or investing in a CPG brand and helping them scale with your guidance, this is a must see/listen!

Welcome to the first edition of our newest segment: The Spotlight Series. We highlight a commendable brand, investor, individual, or in this case: Distributor.

Hi Touch Libations has been distributing emerging, natural brands for over 10 years in Southern CA.

They have brought brands to market such as Suja, Poppi, Vive Organic, Koia, and many more. And with their partnership with LA Libations, they are now expanding to conventional stores such as Albertsons and beyond.

Their model is DSD (direct store delivery) where they go to the stores and put the product right on shelf in participating stores.

They literally add 'hi touch' to their products ensuring they make it to shelf and move faster with care and special attention.Join us for our first edition of the Spotlight Series!

You don't want to miss this!

We are PUMPED for this episode, featuring 4 founders with emerging brands breaking into the CPG scene in natural stores, independents, and eventually conventional grocery stores.

These founders will discuss the story of how they got the idea and kickstarted their business, and all the challenges that happened along the way and that are still happening on a daily basis.

We are featuring:

Dan Choi

Founder of The NA Beverage Co

Stacey Wood

Founder

Whole Harmony

Kristen Charbo

Founder

Glonuts

Tania Sweis

Co-Founder

Brune Kitchen

Enjoy this great episode and make sure to tune in and not miss this one!

After a highly watched and successful Buyer Series last week, we are back to our classic format of Alex and Wade chatting it out about CPG.

A big part of our show is sharing perspectives both from the brand side, the buying side, and also the broker side. Alex ran a CPG brand for over 10 years and on this episode, he will share about what to consider when you are launching a CPG Brand.

Wade brings over 25 years of experience as a corporate retail category manager/buyer and now is a broker/master sales specialist and he also plans to share more insights on how to work with brokers and maximize the relationship.Tune in, you don't want to miss this one!

We are back for our second edition of the buyer series and this week we are excited to bring on very knowledgeable and community driven buyers from all different areas of the country. In no particular order:

Robert Johnson - New Seasons Market

Jason Hostettler - Buehler's Market

Kenny Hausmann - Fresh Thyme Market

As always, it's "No Script, Just Chat." We will cover a range of topics surrounding buyers, tips to present to a retailer and get on shelf, how to approach a buyer at trade-shows, and much more!

This week is back to our normal format of Alex and Wade rapping back and forth about all things CPG. We will be focusing on the major security breach and national system outage with UNFI and how this has affected brands and retailers.

With Wade's experience in attending trade-shows and some upcoming shows (Summer Fancy Food Show, Newtopia Now) he will be reviewing his tips and strategies on how to navigate the shows and getting the most out of them.

It's time for another episode of our coveted Master Series. These don't come around often, and this is sure to be a good one.

We are featuring the movers and shakers in the CPG industry with people, companies and brands that have changed the landscape forever for CPG.

We are bringing on:

Chris Hunter - Co-Founder of KOIA - Delicious Plant-Based Protein

Mike Fata - CPG Investor and Advisor and Founder of Manitoba Harvest

Kari Pedriana - Co-Founder of Green Spoon Sales - The Nation's Premier Natural Broker

Nick Saltarelli - Co-Founder of Mid-Day Squares - Fast Growing Chocolate Brand

This week, we are going to focus on the short and long-term benefits of helping others and expecting nothing in return. We are finding the most successful people simply give with no strings attached and attract an energy that propels them personally and professionally.

Wade and Alex will share how they have helped others and gained a great return for themselves.

Our second topic is an important one as well: Running or working with a CPG brand is pure and utter chaos. Everyday, something goes wrong and a fire needs to be put out. How do you find gratitude and calmness amidst chaos? Wade and Alex have both run their own business and have a combined nearly 40 years of CPG experience, so they will detail tips on how to not lose sight of the bigger picture when things aren't going as planned in the short term.

How about an episode with no planned topics at all and Wade and Alex discuss whatever they want for an hour?

We of course will cover topics in CPG but it could go off the rails and we can be talking about anything whether it's Wade hiking in the middle of nowhere, Alex golfing, tariffs, and so much more!

This is our second installment of the Random Babble Series. Sit back, grab a beer (or your favorite social non-alc tonic) and enjoy!