Gian Facenda is the Founder of Root2Sales, a company that helps emerging food and beverage brands scale their sales and retail presence. With deep experience in CPG, he works closely with brands to navigate distribution, broker relationships, and go-to-market strategy.

Kirk Homenick is the President of Hardbite, a premium snack brand known for crafting small-batch kettle chips with bold flavors and high-quality ingredients. Under his leadership, the company has focused on product innovation, including unique cooking methods like beef tallow and carefully sourced potatoes.

Eric Martindale is the Founder and CEO of Elite Commerce Group, a full-service agency specializing in Amazon and retail media. Under his leadership, the company has driven over half a billion dollars in retail sales for clients, maintaining a strong focus on testing and innovation to stay at the forefront of digital marketing.

Taysia Stein is the Co-founder of pi00a, a frozen pizza brand creating globally inspired Neapolitan-style pizzas made with imported Italian double-zero flour. The company combines bold, international flavors with a mission to create job opportunities for the deaf community.

In this episode…

The food and beverage space is highly competitive, making it difficult for brands to stand out while staying true to their mission. Companies must balance innovation, quality, and meaningful connections in a crowded market. How can brands differentiate themselves and build lasting relationships?

At Expo West, Gian Facenda highlights the importance of understanding market trends like global flavors and functional ingredients to stay relevant. Gian emphasizes that trade shows are not about aggressive selling but about building relationships and strengthening visibility within the industry. Kirk Homenick stresses the role of craftsmanship and differentiation through quality ingredients and unique processes to create standout products. Eric Martindale reinforces the idea that service providers should prioritize existing relationships and brand presence over hard selling. Taysia Stein demonstrates how combining strong product innovation with a clear social purpose can create both impact and consumer loyalty.

On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with founders, operators, and industry insiders about what's actually driving growth in today's CPG landscape. From flavor trends and product development to the importance of relationships and community, this episode offers a closer look at the forces shaping how modern food brands are built.