Food Business Success® - Start Your Food Business Dream

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We have been talking about what it means to be a CEO of your business with some amazing guests like Tim Bradley, CEO of Teatulia, and Stephen Adelé, author of Ready, Set, Scale. 

I decided to expand this topic and put together a CEO series sharing with you key traits a successful brand founder embodies as he or she wants to go beyond the stress of doing it all as the maker to running a beautiful business with more time and money freedom. 

Today's topic is perfect as we head into a "fall" 🍁 state of mind (I love this time of year to reset and evaluate routines and habits).

A CEO is willing to constrain their activities with a single focus in mind AND do the hard thing of uncommitting from things that were made with the best intentions. 

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

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We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

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This is a must listen to episode today if you want to go from maker and doing everything in your business to true entrepreneur who earns the freedom of time and money that's possible from a business.  

My guest is DU School of Business Professor and co-author of the new book Ready, Set, Scale; How to Scale Your Business without Losing Your Soul, Stephen Adelé.

He and I have an incredible conversation on what it means to truly scale a business so that it runs without you always doing more. 

 I heard Stephen speak at an entrepreneur event and my mind was blown! I knew he had to come speak to the 10X Mastermind and Master Your Business participants when his book came out.  

We dive deep into the nuances of scaling versus growing, unpacking the myths and realities of scaling effectively, and discuss the crucial balance between rapid growth and maintaining your company's core values. 

This episode just scratches the surface of scaling your business. Stephen is presenting his blueprint on how to scale to the 10X Mastermind and you are invited to join us! Register at foodbizsuccess.com/readysetscale to get your seat for just $9 (book available too).  

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

I have spent much of the last 18 months working through a concept to create I like to call a "beautiful business". First, for myself in my business and then in the Master Your Business program with Fuel members.  This is a business that doesn't meet some outside standard of success, but one that energizes and serves both your life and your customers' lives.

I challenge you to move beyond the chaos and stress of early entrepreneurship which is necessary, but will lead to burnout and resentment if left unchecked for too long. Instead I want you to build a business that aligns with your personal values and goals and this takes you stepping into the role of CEO to build a solid foundation to scale.

I am so proud of the 207 episodes over the last four years and I couldn't think of a better conversation than this one for the 208th 🎉!

It's time for us to focus more on creating a more fulfilling, balanced approach to business that truly supports your life and gives you the time and money freedom you wanted when you started this business.

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

This is one of those episodes that you do NOT want to miss! My conversation with Tim Bradley, CEO of Teatulia, is packed with nuggets for aspiring and scaling founders.  We dive into his first CPG business, Rocky Mountain Popcorn, that he ran with his wife, Karen. He shares his his wisdom around the dynamics of working with a spouse, including the importance of clear roles, and the necessity of turning off "work mode".

When Tim talks CEO, I listen! He has helped to grow Teatulia 6X and does it with kindness, discipline and patience while making tough decisions based on data. Last year, the brand decided to pull out of retail, which also meant letting go of his VP of Sales, who was also his wife.

I can't wait for you to listen to our conversation! Also, take advantage of a special offer to save 30% at Teatulia.com using code foodbusinesssuccess

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

Working with 100s (maybe even 1000s) of founders launching or growing a packaged food business for over six years has been an exercise in trying to figure out how to say the things people really need to know in ways that are digestible. And there are some things that you just don't really know until you have been through it and are on the other side. 

It's not a problem that people don't believe me, but I do think if you are just starting out, it is helpful to note these and try to save yourself some of the mental drama that comes with a business launch. 

And if you already have a business, I would love you share on YouTube or Instagram in the comments for this episode what resonated for you or if there are any additional things you wish you believed, but didn't, when you started? 

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

Lisa Bastian and her son Ben started PremOla granola in a year of great change and the business continues to evolve as it has grown. I love that Lisa is committed to creating a business that she loves and works for her life even as Ben has shifted his involvement. This is a must listen to episode on how Lisa has grown her confidence in her abilities to be a CEO and create a beautiful business.

Take advantage of the special offer and try her amazing granola at https://www.premolagranola.com/ and use code SARI15 to enjoy 15% off your order!

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

Jordan Buckner, founder of Tea Squares, FoodBevy and Joyful Co, a curated gift boxing company and I, as a former Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market, nows a thing or two about retail. He and I have an awesome conversation about why holiday planning starts in the summer (or earlier) and how to craft a great roadmap for success. 

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

We are halfway through the year and it's time to do a check in on the goals and milestones you set waaayyy back in January.  It's likely you aren't where you thought you "should" be at the 6 month mark. Don't beat yourself up - we always underestimate how long something will take! it's time to refocus, re-strategize, and ensure your actions align with your vision.

I share with you a powerful framework to help you achieve your goals with intention and clarity, avoiding common pitfalls like overwhelm and scattered efforts. Get ready to make the next six months your most productive yet! 

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

Many founders ask me about SEO and what they can do to increase their "organic reach". I finally found THE person to help us understand SEO as a small business, not one with a ton of money to through at ads. What I learned from Chuck Aiken, founder of Tymoo, will surprise you and give you a new way to "do" SEO for best results. 

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...

Send us Fan Mail

In this part two of the Q&A interview featuring Fuel member questions, Sari and April address growth questions as brands move past the launch phase of their business and want to scale into online and wholesale sales. Questions include addressing the best strategies for selling products directly to consumers, overcoming the challenges of navigating the competitive CPG market, balancing multiple business channels and the importance of having a clear vision for your food brand’s future. We also reflect on the growth and evolution of the Fuel community, highlighting how the blend of technical expertise and practical experience has created a rich learning environment. Join us for a deep dive into the realities of entrepreneurship and valuable advice for food business owners at all stages. 

🎁 Black Friday is coming, and you don't need a new product to crush your holiday sales.

Join me for a FREE webinar:
🛍️ 3 Simple Steps for Creating Additional Black Friday Sales
📅 Friday, Oct 16 
⏰ 10am PT | 1pm ET

Turn products you already have into holiday gift bundles and sell them through your website, events, and professional network 🤝

✨ Save your seat: foodbizsuccess.com/events
 🧮 Free planner: foodbizsuccess.com/Holiday-Bundle-download

👋We're Food Business Success®. We mentor early-stage founders with real coaching, strategy, tools, and systems to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a brand that lasts. We're also home to the Launch & Grow Accelerator.

[Learn more about coaching] | [Explore Launch & Grow]

NEW for YOU!
We've completely revised our Launch & Grow Accelerator with a full update for 2026. Grab your m...