In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Brian Bethke, founder of BEAR Maple Farms and winner of the 2024 Shelfie Award in the drink category. Brian shares his inspiring journey from building amplifiers for rock legends like Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz to creating a one-of-a-kind functional beverage featuring ginseng and maple water.

Discover how BEAR Maple Farms combines the natural sweetness of maple water with the adaptogenic power of sustainably grown ginseng to deliver a refreshing, caffeine-free energy boost. Brian opens up about the challenges and triumphs of launching a CPG brand, the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial journey, and how critical feedback led to a transformative rebrand.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply a fan of innovative beverages, this episode is packed with insights on building a team, navigating the CPG industry, and creating a product that’s good for the mind, body, and planet.

Tune in to hear Brian’s story and learn how BEAR Maple is expanding nationally in 2025!

Listen in as they share about:

• BEAR Maple Farms Origin Story
• Product Development
• Branding and Marketing
• Sales and Distribution Strategy
• Mentorship and Networking
• Community and Support
• Advice to Entrepreneurs
• Plans for 2025

Episode Links:

Website: https://drinkbearmaple.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bethke/ 

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
• Episode music by Super Fantastics