Brooks Addington: TÖST Is Rewriting Celebration Culture
The Firebelly Social Show
Brooks Addington is the CEO of TÖST Beverages, a company renowned for its sophisticated, non-alcoholic sparkling beverages. With over two decades of experience in consumer goods and finance, he has successfully expanded TÖST's distribution to over 10,000 accounts across all 50 US states and eight countries. Under his leadership, TÖST has partnered with major national retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, HEB, and Walmart. Additionally, Brooks serves as a board member and founding partner of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA), contributing to the growth and...
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David Mesa: Keepin' It Real In CPG
The Firebelly Social Show
David Mesa is the President of We Grow CPG, a boutique sales management agency offering elevated sales partnerships to the CPG industry. The agency's core expertise lies in helping emerging brands expand their distribution by building aggressive and strategic revenue plans from the seed stage to the late stage. With over 20 years of experience in the CPG industry, David has extensive knowledge in developing unique brands that stand out in a competitive marketplace. Additionally, he is the Founder of 4T Mesa Consulting and serves as a Strategic Advisor at both TIG Brands and Pricklee....
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Sean Klimson On Sharing Stories And “Together Talks”
The Firebelly Social Show
Sean Klimson is the Owner of Klimson Logistics Solutions (KLS), a third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in nationwide LTL and FTL trucking and transportation services. Under his leadership, KLS has earned a strong reputation for customer service while building a growing client base, particularly within the food, beverage, and CPG space. Sean has also built a strong personal brand, with over 21,000 LinkedIn followers, and is the creator of Together Talks, a platform that features more than 235 founders and industry leaders, sharing authentic stories and fostering meaningful...
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[Expo West Series] What Actually Wins In CPG
The Firebelly Social Show
Elizabeth Corbett is the President of Enterprise Sales at AE Global, a custom packaging design and supply chain solutions provider. With over two decades of experience, she has developed sustainable packaging solutions for prominent brands such as Starbucks, Tiffany & Co., and Estée Lauder. Specializing in the cannabis sector for the past eight years, Elizabeth is passionate about creating environmentally responsible and sustainable packaging solutions. David Mesa is the President of We Grow CPG, a boutique sales management agency offering elevated sales partnerships to the CPG industry....
info_outline![[Expo West Series] Where Brands, Flavors, And Missions Collide show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/40907450?height=50&width=50)
[Expo West Series] Where Brands, Flavors, And Missions Collide
The Firebelly Social Show
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...
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[Expo West Series] Protein, Wellness, And The Food Shift
The Firebelly Social Show
Colin Long is the VP of Sales at SuckerPunch, a food brand reinventing pickles with bold flavors and functional benefits. Colin helps lead the growth of a brand redefining the pickle category with bold flavors and functional benefits. Under his leadership, the brand has expanded its reach across retail and into performance-driven markets like professional sports. Rachel Klein is the Director for CPG Growth at PLEASE & THANK YOU, a nationally recognized coffee and cookie brand known for its premium ingredients and cult-favorite chocolate chip cookies. Rachel focuses on scaling retail...
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[Expo West Series] Purposeful Innovation And Family-Driven Entrepreneurship
The Firebelly Social Show
Jasmin von Teichman is the Co-founder and CEO of Purplesful Popcorn, a company dedicated to creating healthy, antioxidant-rich purple corn popcorn while donating 25% of profits to children’s nutrition charities. Purplesful has achieved widespread growth in both Canada and the US, including a significant launch into 400 Kroger stores, and is on a mission to donate $5 million over the next five years. Her work reflects a commitment to community, family values, and creating products that give back. Anna Cobb is the Founder and CEO of O’Kra, the world’s first sparkling okra water brand...
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[Expo West Series] The Rise of Purpose-Driven Food Brands
The Firebelly Social Show
Serenity Carr is the Co-founder and CEO of Serenity Kids, a brand transforming the baby food aisle with nutrient-dense, protein-forward products. She co-founded the company to challenge the norm of sugar-heavy, low-nutrition options and instead prioritize healthy fats and balanced macronutrients for early development. Through Serenity Kids, she is on a mission to help raise healthier children by redefining what quality nutrition looks like from the very beginning. Jose Pablo Madrazo and Patricio Madrazo are the Co-founders of San Miguel Family Foods, a brand rooted in generations of farming...
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[Expo West Series] Culture Meets Modern Food Innovation
The Firebelly Social Show
Miggy Reyes is the Co-founder of Narra, a beverage brand creating culturally inspired, ready-to-drink products like their ube vanilla latte, rooted in Southeast Asian flavors. A chef-trained entrepreneur, he co-launched Narra with his sister to modernize the latte category using tea-based, plant-powered drinks rooted in Southeast Asian traditions. Prior to Narra, he founded Virtual Table, a hands-on culinary experience company, and spent five years as a chef in top San Francisco fine-dining restaurants. Earlier in his career, Miggy worked at companies like Tesla and Intel after earning a...
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Matthew Kubick On Why Demos Matter
The Firebelly Social Show
Matthew Kubick is the Founder and President of Local Demo Service (Natural Brokerage), a company focused on helping mission-driven brands thrive in retail through in-store demos and strategic brand representation. With over 20 years of experience in the natural products industry, he has established a reputation as a trusted partner for emerging brands, leveraging his expertise as an athletic coach, brand ambassador, salesman, and entrepreneur. Matthew has also launched a YouTube channel called Sovereign Sustainability to educate people on sustainable living and wild foraging. His mission is to...
info_outlineKat Weaver is the CEO and Founder of Power to Pitch, a platform that helps early-stage founders craft compelling pitches and raise capital with confidence. Under her leadership, Power to Pitch has helped secure over $55 million in grants and venture funding. Kat is also a successful exited entrepreneur, active angel investor, and has built a community of over 30,000 LinkedIn followers. Her experience launching and scaling the first company straight out of her college dorm room gives her firsthand empathy for the founder's journey.
In this episode…
When it comes to raising capital, many founders think success lies in having a great product or pitch. But what if it's more about who you are as a founder? How do your personality, energy, and approach impact an investor’s decision?
According to Kat Weaver, a seasoned entrepreneur and pitching expert, the key to attracting investment isn't just about having a great product — it's about being the right type of person for the investors. “Investors are betting on you as a founder, not just your business,” she explains. She goes on to highlight the importance of traits like coachability, transparency, passion, and grit. Kat emphasizes that investors are looking for founders who can adapt, pivot, and stay resilient through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Kat Weaver, CEO and Founder of Power to Pitch, about the complex world of investor psychology. They cover the psychological mistakes founders make when raising capital, why choosing the right investor is more important than the amount of money, and how understanding investor psychology can make or break a business.