By Startup CPG
4.9
288288 ratings
The podcast currently has 225 episodes available.
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, host Daniel Scharff engages with Nikhil Arora, co-founder of Back to the Roots, an innovative organic gardening company now selling $100M at retail. Nikhil shares the inspiring journey of how he and his co-founder, Alejandro Velez, transformed their initial idea of growing mushrooms from coffee grounds into a successful urban farming business.
Nikhil opens up about the various kinds of advice he has received along his startup journey - the good, the bad, and with an overall focus on the perspective founders should have when hearing or giving advice, acknowledging that companies have very different paths, and what works for one person may not work for another. They delve into the essential qualities of resilience, focus, and adaptability in entrepreneurship, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a brand.
Nikhil and Daniel explore the complexities of decision-making in the startup world, referencing Jeff Bezos’ "one-way" and "two-way" doors framework and contrasting it with Steve Jobs’ focus on product innovation. Nikhil opens up about the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, including the pressures of comparison and the importance of a strong co-founder relationship in sharing the burdens of startup life.
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike.
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Episode Links:
Website: https://backtotheroots.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aroranikhil/
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.
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In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Sahithya Wintrich, the founder of Chutni Punch. Inspired by traditional South Indian chutni powders, Sahithya has turned her family's recipes into a unique line of seasonings that can be used in many types of dishes, not just Indian food.
Sahithya shares her journey into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, discussing the challenges she faced with product development, branding, and the importance of listening to customer feedback. She talks about her experiences promoting Chutni Punch at trade shows, building relationships with retailers, and balancing her business with her personal life.
Together, Grace and Sahithya explore the importance of building a community and creating new products that help people enjoy tasty, healthy meals. Grace praises Chutni Punch for its success and its contribution to the startup CPG world.
Don’t miss this inspiring episode! Tune in to learn from Sahithya’s journey and discover how you can make your own mark in the CPG industry. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share it with other entrepreneurs!
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Episode Links:
Website: https://chutnipunch.com/collections/frontpage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahithya-wintrich/
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.
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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Paul Voge, Co-Founder and CEO at Aura Bora, a craft sparkling water company that has experienced remarkable growth from just 2 stores in 2019 to an impressive 10,000 stores in 2024. Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges and realities of running a consumer packaged goods (CPG) startup in a fiercely competitive beverage industry.
They explore the intricacies of distribution, retailer relationships, and the high stakes of navigating a market dominated by giants like Coca-Cola. Paul opens up about the operational hurdles of maintaining supply chains, forecasting demand, and the significant demands of fundraising, all while managing the emotional toll of entrepreneurship.
They emphasize the importance of resilience, setting realistic expectations, and finding fulfillment in the entrepreneurial journey, despite the sacrifices and stresses involved. Paul offers valuable insights on maintaining a healthy mindset and the continuous learning required to build a sustainable business.
Tune in to gain practical advice and inspiration for aspiring founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
Website: https://aurabora.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulvoge/
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.
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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy welcomes Daniela Suarez, co-founder of iCalm Health, a pioneering company focused on creating natural supplements for stress relief. They delve into the inspiring journey of icalm, from its early beginnings to the intricacies of product development and the challenges that come with building a brand in the health industry.
Daniela shares the obstacles she faced, including a startling incident involving a scam related to a celebrity endorsement, which highlights the critical importance of trust within the entrepreneurial community. One of the most fascinating aspects of this conversation is Daniela's experience co-founding a business with her sibling. She emphasizes how their familial bond enhances collaboration and creativity in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Daniela also underscores the significance of building connections in the startup ecosystem and discusses how organizations like Startup CPG play a vital role in fostering collaboration and support among entrepreneurs.
Tune in for valuable insights on resilience, community, and innovation in the competitive world of natural supplements!
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
Website: https://icalm.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-suarez-55b97a25/
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.
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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff interviews Paul Bianco, founder and CEO of Graphite Financial. They highlights the essential role finance plays in startup success, particularly within the e-commerce and CPG sectors. Paul emphasizes that finance should go beyond mere number-crunching, offering actionable insights that empower founders to make informed decisions. They discuss critical financial metrics such as margins, customer acquisition costs (CAC), and product costs, shedding light on how understanding these can guide strategic planning and promote sustainable growth.
They also address the challenges of early-stage financial planning, underscoring the importance of having a good finance partner who assists in navigating risks while encouraging innovative ideas. Paul shares insights on effectively calculating CAC, considering direct and indirect expenses, and highlights the importance of analyzing customer behavior for evaluating profitability.
With a focus on cash flow management, unit economics, and the experiences of entrepreneurship, this episode offers valuable strategies for startups looking to scale responsibly. Tune in now and discover how to elevate your financial strategy for long-term success!
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Episode Links:
Website: https://graphitefinancial.com/https://graphitefinancial.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paullbianco/
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.
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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy interviews Charlie Gentry, the founder of TruJoy, a frozen Greek yogurt brand based in Austin, Texas. Charlie shares his inspiring journey as a solo founder, detailing his motivations for creating TruJoy and navigating the competitive food industry. He discusses the development process behind his yogurt, including the creation of innovative flavors that resonate with consumers and his commitment to quality through effective product formulation.
Charlie also shares his strategies for expanding TruJoy's retail presence and managing distribution channels, emphasizing the importance of affordability and accessibility in reaching a broader audience. They highlight the value of community support and collaboration among entrepreneurs, showcasing how networking with fellow founders has positively impacted TruJoy's growth.
Tune in to gain insights from Charlie's journey, and don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of consumer packaged goods!
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
Website: https://www.trujoyyogurt.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-gentry-1382b7b2/
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:
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff interviews 3 of the leading CPG journalists. He’s joined by Elizabeth Crawford, Senior Editor at FoodNavigator-USA; Brooke Just, Associate Editor at Food Business News; and Adrianne DeLuca, Reporter at BevNET & Nosh. Together, they dive into why Trade Media is crucial for building brand credibility and discuss emerging trends like startup innovation and sustainability.
The panelists share their coverage focus areas and discuss emerging industry trends like startup innovations and sustainability. They offer valuable pitching strategies for CPG brands, focusing on concise, data-driven storytelling, and clarity in messaging. During the episode, founders from Recoup Beverage, Grillicious, 22 Salute Spirits & Coffee, Millie's Sipping Broth, No regrets, Fishtown Pickle Project, and Secret Salad deliver 30-second pitches to the panelists, receiving actionable feedback.
Stick around for valuable advice on maximizing your media exposure, including submitting press releases to Startup CPG Newswire and building relationships with journalists. Don’t miss out—Tune in now!
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
FoodNavigator-USA Website
Elizabeth Crawford LinkedIn
Sosland Publishing Website
Brooke Just LinkedIn
Nosh Website
BevNET Website
Adrianne DeLuca LinkedIn
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)
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy interviews Jilleo Recio, founder of RĒJINS, a luxury skincare brand dedicated to celebrating and catering to maturing, melanin-rich skin. Jilleo shares his personal journey and motivations for creating RĒJINS, inspired by his experiences in Singapore and a desire to challenge beauty standards that prioritize skin lightening.
Jilleo discusses the challenges he faced while launching his skincare line, from sourcing a contract manufacturer to developing effective formulations during the pandemic. A significant focus is on the brand’s All Encompassing Serum, highlighting its multitasking capabilities and key ingredients like peptides, niacinamide, and humectants designed to address aging, dryness, and uneven skin tone.
They also explore the entrepreneurial journey of launching a skincare brand, stressing the importance of networking, mentorship, and community support in building a successful business. Tune in now!
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
RĒJINS Website
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)
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff interviews Aaron Nosbisch, the founder and CEO of BRĒZ, a rapidly growing cannabis beverage company using hemp-derived THC. Aaron shares his journey through the cannabis and e-commerce landscapes, offering a deep dive into BRĒZ’s innovative approach to cannabis-infused and functional beverages.
Discover the unique elements of BRĒZ’s product line, from their craft cocktail-inspired flavors to the incorporation of functional mushrooms like lion's mane. Aaron discusses the company's e-commerce strategies, the challenges of scaling a beverage company, and how they’ve crafted a distinctive brand and product formulations.
The conversation also delves into the specifics of hemp-derived THC beverages, highlighting how BRĒZ’s nano-emulsified THC results in quicker onset and shorter duration effects, similar to alcohol. Aaron addresses key market challenges, including dosage consistency, regulatory hurdles, and the transition from dispensary-only to mainstream market availability.
Learn about BRĒZ’s psychographic targeting strategy designed to appeal to those seeking enjoyable, non-alcoholic alternatives without the negative effects of traditional alcohol. Aaron also provides insights into their retail expansion plans, regulatory concerns, and the entrepreneurial scene in West Palm Beach. He reflects on the company's growth, marketing tactics, and the balance between his professional and personal life.
Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the future of cannabis beverages and the innovative strategies driving BRĒZ’s success!
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
BRĒZ Website
Aaron Nosbisch LinkedIn
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)
In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Gloria Allorbi, CEO and founder of Gloria’s Shito®️, a spicy chili oil brand inspired by Ghana’s traditional condiment, Shito. Gloria shares her entrepreneurial journey, from creating her product for personal use to scaling it into a thriving business in U.S. grocery stores.
They dive into the challenges of maintaining authenticity while adapting the recipe to be vegan and the process of getting her product into retailers like Erewhon. Gloria also talks about her mission to introduce Ghanaian cuisine to the U.S. market and how she educates customers through in-store demonstrations, pairing Shito with familiar dishes like pizza and avocado toast. She reflects on the financial hurdles of bootstrapping her business and her experience with capital raising, all while building a strong community around her brand.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about culture, food, and entrepreneurship! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and connect with us to stay updated on more exciting founder stories.
Listen in as they share about:
Episode Links:
Gloria Allorbi LinkedIn
Gloria’s Shito®️ Website
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)
The podcast currently has 225 episodes available.
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