CPG Operator Podcast
The CPG Operator Podcast from BevNET CPG Media is your go-to resource for building and running a food or beverage brand. Host Melissa Traverse sits down with brand founders, retail buyers, investors and industry partners to dig into the issues operators face every day, from retail and distribution to pricing, fundraising, marketing and supply chain, with timely insights and tactical advice you can put to work. Join a live recording to ask your questions, or catch up on past episodes anytime. Formerly the Nombase Podcast.
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A Little Psychotic Energy and the Strange Qualities Investors Love
10/13/2026
A Little Psychotic Energy and the Strange Qualities Investors Love
What makes investors want to bet on a founder? Rogers Healy, founder of Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners, sees countless investment opportunities a day but pursues very few. So what makes a founder stand out? This conversation reveals what investors look for beyond the numbers, the qualities and behaviors that attract them or send them running, and how founders can make themselves and their brands more attractive to investors. You will learn: What makes an investor bet on a founder, even when they're not sold on the product How to demonstrate relentless drive without crossing the line into arrogance How to identify and leverage passionate consumer communities as proof of demand How your social media presence can attract investors or raise red flags Why knowing your weaknesses and surrounding yourself with the right people makes you more investable
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What If the Best Way to Grow Is to Stop Chasing the Obvious Wins?
10/06/2026
What If the Best Way to Grow Is to Stop Chasing the Obvious Wins?
The obvious path to growth isn’t always the right one for your product. Burlap & Barrel has built a successful spice business by making some decidedly unconventional choices about where it sells, how it reaches consumers and what it refuses to compromise. Founder Ethan Frisch joins Sourcery founder Bhavna Kolakaluri, to dig into the creative ways brands can work around the realities of their products instead of forcing them into a growth model that doesn’t fit. You will learn: How to decide whether coveted retailers like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s actually make sense for your business How to sell a product that’s difficult to sample through traditional in-store demos How to make a premium product feel worth the money when consumers are watching their spending How to work around long production cycles using multiple sales channels and other operational strategies How changing something as simple as case-pack size can make your product work for smaller retailers
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Your Product Does a Lot. What Should You Lead With?
09/29/2026
Your Product Does a Lot. What Should You Lead With?
When your product has several compelling benefits, which one should lead? Jous founders Nicolas Jeffery and Camilo Ortiz sit down with Chris Robb of Supernatural Ventures and The Angel Group to work through how to sharpen the story behind their magnesium-infused juice, make the product easier to understand, and build a stronger strategy for growth. You Will Learn: How to determine which of your product’s benefits should lead your positioning When a functional ingredient strengthens your story and when it complicates it How to make an unfamiliar product immediately understandable to consumers How positioning can change your competitive set, shelf placement, and growth opportunities How to test whether your current brand story is actually driving trial and repeat purchase
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How to Keep Your Retail Partners Onboard Even When You Change Almost Everything
09/22/2026
How to Keep Your Retail Partners Onboard Even When You Change Almost Everything
Every brand eventually changes something big — price, packaging, format, the category it sits in — and that puts existing distribution on the line. After raising its prices to match true production costs, Vermont Creamery walked away from an unprofitable Walmart relationship, then earned its way back into 400 stores. Tuyyo Foods fell off roughly 1,100 doors of shelf space after a merger brought a full rebrand and repackaging. Harrison Kahn, President and GM of Vermont Creamery, and Stephanie Garcia Turner, co-founder and CCO of Tuyo Foods, break down how to make a major change and still get your retail partners to come along for the ride. You will learn: How to notify and prep retail buyers before a repackaging or UPC change, so your product doesn't quietly fall off shelf What to do when a retailer's promotional demands push your pricing below what your product actually costs to make How to build a compelling case for re-entry after leaving a retailer, including what data and proof points actually move a buyer How to prioritize which retail partners and categories to carry forward after a merger or repositioning, instead of trying to keep everyone What to do the moment a retailer signals your velocity is too low and discontinuation is on the table
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Want More Shelf Life Without Reformulating? Check Here First.
09/15/2026
Want More Shelf Life Without Reformulating? Check Here First.
Kendall Kransdorf, founder of Cotto, a whipped cottage cheese dip, on a hero ingredient with a short shelf life and high demand - a combination that forces hard operational decisions. Mary Kate Kloeblen, a supply chain consultant and co-fouder of Golden Thread Operations, walks through where Cotto is actually losing shelf life (it's not always the formula) and what to fix instead. You will learn: How LTL refrigerated shipping can quietly eat days of usable shelf life before a product even reaches a warehouse How to build formulation flexibility so a supply shortage on your hero ingredient doesn't stall production When to move production closer to your distribution centers, and how colocation reduces both transit risk and quality issues Why GS1 rules mean even a small product change can force a new UPC, and how to avoid retail errors because of it How to structure IP and manufacturing agreements during a tech transfer so you don't lose ownership of your own process
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A Whole Foods Market Buyer’s Playbook for Scaling a Brand
09/08/2026
A Whole Foods Market Buyer’s Playbook for Scaling a Brand
Charlie New is the Global Category Merchant for Refrigerated Beverages at Whole Foods Market, overseeing coffee, tea, juice, and soda. He's spent years watching what separates brands that build lasting shelf presence from brands that stall. In this episode, he walks through how he'd approach building a brand, from spending strategy to team building. You will learn: Where Whole Foods Market shoppers are trading down, and where they're still paying a premium How the path into Whole Foods Market actually works, from local foragers to global category managers Which certifications and claims actually matter to shoppers, and how that shifts by category What separates functional beverage brands that succeed from those that struggle to find a lane How brands with a cultural or community-rooted story can expand without losing what made them work Where Charlie would put his money first if he were building a brand today
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How Winning Brands Turn Better-For-You Ingredients Into Big Business
09/01/2026
How Winning Brands Turn Better-For-You Ingredients Into Big Business
Building products with better ingredients is easy to talk about. Building a successful business around them is much harder. Join Tom First, Founder of Culture Pop, and Heather Wood, SVP of Marketing at Goodles, as they discuss the realities of formulation, sourcing, branding, retail growth, and operations, and how they’ve turned clean label products into brands that drive trial, repeat purchase, and sustainable growth. You will learn: How to decide whether an innovation solves a real consumer need or is simply chasing a trend How to make ingredient decisions that balance taste, consumer value, manufacturing feasibility, and brand positioning How to simplify an unconventional production process so it can scale without compromising the product How to choose the right pace and path for growth based on your capital, team, and ability to support new distribution How to make sure your product and packaging can drive trial and repeat before spending heavily on marketing
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Getting a Distributor Is Just the Beginning. Here’s How to Turn It Into Growth.
08/25/2026
Getting a Distributor Is Just the Beginning. Here’s How to Turn It Into Growth.
Most founders think getting a distributor is the hard part. Scott Rosenbaum, co-host of the Business of Drinks podcast, has spent 20 years in beverage alcohol distribution and knows landing one is just the beginning. In this episode, he mentors Daeyna Grant, a first-time founder building Gold Crush, an RTD rum-based cocktail, one bar and liquor store at a time. Together, they break down what it actually takes to land the right distributor — and how to make the relationship work once you do. You will learn: What a distributor actually owes you — and what you still have to earn on your own How to get a distributor’s attention before you have much leverage The trade-off between a bigger distributor and one that can give your brand more attention What data and reporting you should expect — and how to fill the gaps when you don’t get it How to build enough demand that distributors start coming to you instead of the other way around
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8.5 Million Consumers, One City: How to Win NYC Retail
08/18/2026
8.5 Million Consumers, One City: How to Win NYC Retail
New York's density makes it one of the best cities to build retail distribution — and one of the hardest to crack. Namik Soltan, founder and CEO of GNGR Labs, spent six years self-distributing into hundreds of NYC bodegas, independents, and chains before handing accounts to a distributor. Sean Rosenberg, founder of Goldie, is about to do the same. In this episode, Namik shares tips with Sean through the exact playbook, store by store. You will learn: How to build a retail footprint in NYC without a distributor, starting from zero What it actually takes to get into bodegas, independents, and regional chains When to bring on a distributor, and how to prep your territory before they arrive How to use free product, sales sheets, and intro deals to drive trial What separates brands that scale past their first 50 stores from those that stall How self-distribution today sets you up for regional and national growth later
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Private Label Is a $330 Billion Business Now. How to Ride It Without Diluting Your Brand.
08/11/2026
Private Label Is a $330 Billion Business Now. How to Ride It Without Diluting Your Brand.
Many founders think private label can compromise opportunities for their brand. Derek Brawley thinks that's backwards. He's spent nearly two decades running private label programs internationally, most recently at Prana, and mentors emerging brands on how to make the most of private label business. In this episode, he makes the case for private label as one of the most underused tools for cash flow, accurate forecasting, and long-term growth — and explains how to use it without compromising the brand you're building. You will learn: Why "brand dilution" is often backwards thinking, and what private label actually protects How private label partners deliver forecasting accuracy brands can't get on their own What margins, trade spend, and pricing actually look like compared to selling branded The certifications and standards you need to be private label ready How to pitch private label to retailers, and what buyers are quietly looking for How to use private label to fund your brand's growth toward a future sale
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The Truth About CVS: What 9,000 Doors Really Means for Scaling Brands
08/04/2026
The Truth About CVS: What 9,000 Doors Really Means for Scaling Brands
CVS may not be the first retail opportunity food and beverage brands evaluate, but it's important to know when it can be the right fit. Ashley Czerwien spent two and a half years as a CVS buyer and now manages the CVS relationship at KeHE, and she breaks down what actually needs to be true about your business before CVS makes sense. You will learn: What CVS's 9,000 doors actually look like, and which ones fit your brand The real submission process, from ECRM events to award letters What CVS costs versus what brands assume it costs The readiness signals CVS looks for: production, lead times, marketing Two programs built for emerging brands: Open Air Cooler and Healthy Consumables What buyers listen for in a category review pitch
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Don't Blend In. Make Your Difference Easy to Understand.
07/28/2026
Don't Blend In. Make Your Difference Easy to Understand.
Building a differentiated brand is only half the battle. The other half is making sure consumers actually understand why it matters. Join Sahra Nguyen, founder & CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply, and Kyle Nguyen, co-founder of Lucky Ox, to discuss one of the biggest challenges growing brands face: how to stay true to what makes your product unique while communicating it in a way that resonates with mainstream consumers. You will learn: How to figure out what consumers actually care about—and build your messaging around it instead of your assumptions How to use Meta ads, Google Search Console, and customer reviews to test positioning before investing in it Why "meeting consumers where they are" isn't always the right strategy—and when to lean harder into what makes your brand different How to decide where limited retail marketing dollars will have the biggest impact on trial and velocity How to simplify product names, packaging, and messaging without losing what makes your brand unique How to identify merchandising problems that quietly hurt sales—and what brands can do to fix them Why PR should support your business strategy, not become your business strategy
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Don't Build the Board Everyone Else Has. Build One That Gives You an Edge.
07/21/2026
Don't Build the Board Everyone Else Has. Build One That Gives You an Edge.
Most founders know they need a board. Far fewer know how to build one that makes the business materially better. In this episode, Brad Charron, CEO of Aloha, and Kierstin Rielly, CEO of the Women on Boards Project, break down what separates a board that simply fills seats from one that helps you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build a stronger company. Using Aloha's board as a real-world case study, they share a practical framework for choosing the right people, compensating them fairly, and turning your board into a real competitive advantage. You will learn: How to build a board around your business—not your cap table Who belongs on your board (and who doesn't) Why operators often make better board members than career directors How board compensation and equity typically work When advisors make sense—and when it's time for a formal board How to get more value out of every board meeting How the right board can help you make better decisions as you scale
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This Economy Is Splitting the Aisle. Here's the Pricing Model to Win Either Side.
07/14/2026
This Economy Is Splitting the Aisle. Here's the Pricing Model to Win Either Side.
Today's grocery aisle is splitting between shoppers looking for the best deal and those who are happy to pay more for brands they believe are worth it. In this episode, Scott Sanders, Business Intelligence Lead at Carbone, and Jeff Lovering, Chief Data Scientist at Customer Marketing Group, talk through what that shift means for CPG brands. They share practical ways to think about pricing, promotions, and growth—and how to figure out whether your biggest opportunity is pricing, awareness, positioning, distribution, or something else entirely. You'll learn: How to determine whether your brand has earned a premium price The difference between a pricing problem, an awareness problem, and a positioning problem Why premium brands can thrive—even in a value-driven economy How consumers decide whether your product is "worth it" When promotions drive growth—and when they simply mask bigger issues How to use data to diagnose what's really limiting your growth What today's split economy means for your long-term brand strategy
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The Science Behind Functional Products Consumers Come Back For
07/07/2026
The Science Behind Functional Products Consumers Come Back For
Functional ingredients are everywhere, but adding a trending ingredient to a label doesn't guarantee a product that actually works—or one consumers will buy again. Philip Bromley, CEO and co-founder of Viron, and Sarah Fenn, Viron's Director of Marketing, explain the science that separates effective functional products from those that simply make functional claims. Drawing on decades of experience in formulation, ingredient stabilization, and delivery systems, they explain why bioavailability, stability, packaging, and format matter just as much as the ingredient itself. You'll learn: Why bioavailability matters more than adding another functional ingredient How formulation and packaging affect ingredient stability and efficacy Which delivery formats work best for different functional ingredients The biggest formulation mistakes brands make—and how to avoid them How to evaluate ingredient quality, sourcing, and clinical support Why taste and consumer experience drive repeat purchases What separates functional products that consumers try from the ones they come back for
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Do You Really Need to Build in Public to Grow a CPG Brand?
06/30/2026
Do You Really Need to Build in Public to Grow a CPG Brand?
Founders are constantly told they need to build in public - but is it actually the best way to grow? In this episode of the Nombase Podcast, Nick Elliott, Founder of Esprizio, joins Sara Brooks, Co-Founder of Goldilocks, to discuss the role of founder-led content, social media, PR, and brand strategy in building a successful CPG business. You Will Learn: When building in public makes sense—and when it doesn't How to develop a repeatable social strategy instead of posting randomly Low-cost ways to build awareness and generate PR How to create content that builds community instead of just chasing views Why consistency matters more than posting frequency How to decide where founders should spend their limited marketing resources
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Why This Brand Pulled Out of 2,500 Doors—and What Brands Chasing Those Retailers Need to Know
06/22/2026
Why This Brand Pulled Out of 2,500 Doors—and What Brands Chasing Those Retailers Need to Know
Getting onto retail shelves can feel like a big accomplishment—but what happens when strong velocity, national distribution, and real sales still don't add up to a profitable business? Lauren Chew of Love + Chew Superfood Cookies shares the story behind her decision to exit 2,500 retail doors through UNFI and KeHE—even with velocities buyers were happy with. Abby June Richards of The CPG CFO breaks down where the P&L falls apart for emerging brands and what founders need to understand about cash conversion cycles, trade spend, and channel-level profitability before signing a retailer contract. And Liana Krasnow of Noodo, a premium bone broth pasta sauce just 21 doors in, asks the questions every early-stage brand should be asking right now. You Will Learn: Why a brand can have great velocity and still be losing money on every case The hidden cash conversion cycle that can turn a modest monthly loss into a $3M cash problem How to evaluate whether a specific retailer is actually a fit—before you sign anything What trade spend really is, why it's not an operating expense, and how misreporting it can hurt you in due diligence The factors Lauren would weigh differently with her next brand, including shelf facings, direct shipping, and which retailers to avoid entirely Why regional, direct, and foodservice channels may deliver more profit than national distribution—and how to know when you're ready to scale
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Before You Spend More on Growth, Ask These 5 Questions
06/16/2026
Before You Spend More on Growth, Ask These 5 Questions
As brands grow, it's easy to focus on the next retailer, the next marketing initiative, or the next distribution opportunity. But sustainable growth starts with a deeper understanding of your brand identity, who it's for, and what makes it truly different. In this episode, Eric Ramstad of Farmwell Drinks, Shaakira DeLoach of Ginja Snap, and brand strategist Kelly Criswell of Mudge to discuss how emerging brands can build around a niche, attract the right consumers, and create a foundation for long-term growth. From rebrands and packaging decisions to demos, consumer feedback, and community building, the conversation explores the questions founders should be asking as they refine their positioning and prepare to scale. You Will Learn: • How to identify the consumers most likely to become loyal customers • Why simplifying your messaging can strengthen your brand and improve consumer understanding • How to use demos and direct customer feedback to refine positioning and packaging • What creates meaningful differentiation when competitors can copy your ingredients or category • How to evaluate whether your current positioning can support future growth and expansion
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A Quick Note From BevNET Live
06/08/2026
A Quick Note From BevNET Live
Hope to see many of you at BevNET Live this week on June 10 + 11 in NYC! And for everybody else, we'll get back to our regularly scheduled podcast next week. Thanks for being part of our community!
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What You Need to Know Before BevNET Live with Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman
06/02/2026
What You Need to Know Before BevNET Live with Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman
Getting ready for BevNet Live June 10–11 in New York City? Or on the fence? BevNet's Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Klineman, walks through a practical "how to do BevNet Live" guide — covering the agenda, key speakers, and how to make the most of every hour at the show. We cover: Tips on how to get the most out of networking, speaker presentations, 1:1 meetings with retailers and investors, and everything else at the show What you need to do at BevNET Live and what you can catch up on when you're back home Agenda highlights from Athletic Brewing, Culture Pop, and Dirty Shirley on building without outpacing your business Retail sessions with Walmart, Whole Foods, and Vitamin Shoppe on getting — and staying — on shelf Five investor-focused sessions including a term sheet tutorial and a former PepsiCo M&A lead The delta-9 hemp category under the microscope as Congressional pressure threatens its future Early intel on AI and agentic commerce — what CPG brands need to do now before big players lock it in There's still time to register at Bevnetlive.com - see you there!!
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Small Format Retail is More Than A Shelf. Here’s How It Can Turn Early Placement Into Bigger Opportunities.
05/26/2026
Small Format Retail is More Than A Shelf. Here’s How It Can Turn Early Placement Into Bigger Opportunities.
Rachel Krupa, founder of The Goods Mart, shares what emerging CPG brands can learn from small format retail, curated placements, and real shopper behavior. She also breaks down the reopening of The Goods Mart in Brooklyn, a new South Williamsburg location with double the space, expanded grab and go, frozen, pantry, beauty, home, vintage snack finds, and a front row view into what consumers actually buy. You will learn: How small format retail can help brands test packaging, price, and positioning Why taste and founder hustle matter more than launch hype How placement at small format retail stores can lead to press, investors, and new accounts How to think about hotels, offices, coffee shops, and other nontraditional channels Why operational readiness matters before expanding into new outlets How to use customer feedback to understand what drives repeat purchase
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What Actually Breaks First When a CPG Brand Starts Working
05/19/2026
What Actually Breaks First When a CPG Brand Starts Working
This conversation began as a Nombase webinar, and due to listener demand, we turned it into a podcast episode. In this episode, Evan Walther of Oceans walks through a discussion with Troy Bonde, co-founder and CEO of Sauz, William Hicks, CEO and co-founder of Magic Mind, and Ian Myers, founder of Oceans, on what really happens when a CPG brand moves from early traction into serious growth.They get into the messy middle between roughly $2M and $20M in revenue, when product market fit is real, but the team, cash flow, operations, and retail systems are suddenly under pressure. You will learn: • How Sauz handled a Target PO bigger than its lifetime revenue • Why founder bandwidth becomes the first real scaling bottleneck • How Magic Mind improved cash flow by renegotiating supplier terms • Why unit velocity matters more than top line revenue in retail • When to spend on packaging before paid marketing • How to use retail media, demos, and display to drive trial • Why early hiring mistakes can create more drag than leverage • How to know when your systems are breaking before your team does If your brand is working, but everything is starting to feel stretched, this episode will help you understand what's normal, what's avoidable, and what to fix before growth breaks the business.
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They Invested In Poppi, Siete & Bachan’s. How A ‘Supernatural’ Team Evaluates Early-Stage Brands.
05/12/2026
They Invested In Poppi, Siete & Bachan’s. How A ‘Supernatural’ Team Evaluates Early-Stage Brands.
Chris Robb, founder of Supernatural Ventures and early investor in brands like Bachan’s, shares how he evaluates founders before revenue, what separates breakout brands from the rest, and why most CPG companies waste money too early. You will learn: • Why unit velocity matters more than total revenue in early retail growth • How to price your first fundraising round without hurting future raises • Why packaging is the one area early brands should overspend on • How to use retailers and store buyers as real world product validation before scaling • What Chris looks for in founders before investing pre revenue capital Chris also breaks down how Supernatural Ventures approaches pre-seed investing, why he avoids heavy marketing spend early on, and how brands can build momentum organically before raising larger rounds.
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OpenSky Ventures Fund II Is Live: Is This Investor For You?
05/05/2026
OpenSky Ventures Fund II Is Live: Is This Investor For You?
OpenSky Ventures has backed brands like Fishwife, Magic Mind, and Habiza, and is actively deploying capital into the next wave of innovative businesses. They focus on brands with early traction, strong customer loyalty, and clear potential to scale into lasting, differentiated brands. In this episode, Stephanie Nwokolo Hussey, Principal at OpenSky Ventures, breaks down exactly what they look for, how they evaluate founders, and how to know if your brand is a fit before you pitch. You will learn: • How to prove real brand strength through repeat rates, subscriptions, and early customer loyalty signals • What investors actually want in a deck, including must show metrics and common deal breaking mistakes • How to stay capital efficient by controlling marketing spend, supply chain costs, and team structure • How to build a go to market strategy using organic growth, community tactics, and customer first channels • How VCs separate real trends from hype using examples like protein demand and GLP 1 driven behavior shifts If you are a food or beverage founder thinking about raising, this episode will help you quickly understand whether Open Sky should be on your target list.
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Zeroing in on Costco, Target, Walmart? What to Fix Before You Go Big
04/28/2026
Zeroing in on Costco, Target, Walmart? What to Fix Before You Go Big
Landing a major retail account can change a brand overnight, but only if the operational foundation is ready to support it. Join Paul Verdu and Mitch Wedemeier from Octopi, a co-manufacturing partner backed by Asahi Group, to break down what really happens when brands scale into large national and club retailers. You'll learn: • Why landing a retailer like Costco or Target often creates a 90 to 180 day production sprint and what must happen within that window • The critical documentation required including specs, certifications, and material data to enable a smooth transition between co manufacturers • How differences in co-manufacturer equipment and capabilities impact product quality, timelines, and scalability • Common surprises around packaging, lead times, and retailer requirements and how to plan for them early • How to balance forecasting, inventory risk, and production flexibility to avoid stockouts amid unpredictable reorder cycles
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25 Million Americans Use Yuka. Here Are The Things That Will Kill Your Score
04/20/2026
25 Million Americans Use Yuka. Here Are The Things That Will Kill Your Score
Yuka is increasingly influencing what gets bought and what gets put back at shelf, with millions of consumers using it in real time while they shop. In this episode, we’re joined by Gabriella Sebag-Weingrad, who leads Yuka’s US business, to break down how it all works and what it means for food and beverage brands trying to stay competitive. For founders, understanding Yuka is no longer optional, it’s a competitive advantage. How Yuka’s scoring system actually works and which ingredients can instantly cap your score or drag it down The specific additives and formulation choices most likely to get your product put back at shelf What happens after a scan, including when consumers switch, trade up, or abandon products entirely How brands are reformulating in response and what they’re removing without replacing Ways to improve your score without destroying margin, taste, or shelf life How to turn Yuka from a risk into a growth lever by positioning your product as the winning alternative
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How to Stop Fighting Operations Battles and Find Your Flow
04/14/2026
How to Stop Fighting Operations Battles and Find Your Flow
Growth is exciting, until your operations start pushing back. Many founders try to solve this by working harder, producing more, or expanding faster. But the brands that actually scale learn a different lesson: at some point, you have to stop forcing it and start building systems that work with your business, not against it. In this Nombase podcast, Dirty Gut founder Daniel Berlin sits down with Jesse Barruch, co-founder of Whims, to get some advice on how to navigate that shift without breaking your business. Find out: How to know when you're forcing growth instead of building real scale How to schedule smaller production runs early to save you from costly mistakes later How to approach co-manufacturer selection and avoid the wrong partners What to track when you have little to no data and how to build useful systems over time How to think about inventory, forecasting, and demand planning in the early stages The operational problems that only reveal themselves as you grow How to decide what to handle yourself and what to outsource as a founder The tradeoffs between control, cost, and efficiency in your operations How to structure your time around high impact work that actually drives growth Why your vision for the business should guide every operational decision you make
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The Most Expensive Mistake You Can Make With Fresh Capital And What to Do Instead
04/07/2026
The Most Expensive Mistake You Can Make With Fresh Capital And What to Do Instead
After raising capital, most founders feel like they have finally unlocked the ability to grow. But what you do next can determine whether that capital creates momentum or quietly sets your business back. In this episode, Day Out Snacks founder Becky Pleat sits down with Phil Trowler, former finance lead at Olipop, to discuss the specifics on how early stage CPG brands should actually think about deploying capital, building financial discipline, and preparing for what comes next. You will learn: The most expensive mistake founders make right after raising capital Why expanding into more retail doors too early can hurt your business How to prioritize velocity over distribution when deploying capital What burn rate and contribution margin actually mean in practice The key financial metrics every founder should know weekly How to think about fundraising timing, milestones, and dilution What strong unit economics look like and how to improve them over time The difference between scaling your business and just getting bigger When to invest in people versus systems as your company grows How profitability changes your leverage in fundraising conversations Make smarter decisions with your capital and avoid costly mistakes early!
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The Brilliant but Simple Way to Win in a Tough Category
03/31/2026
The Brilliant but Simple Way to Win in a Tough Category
Building a great product is not enough, especially in a category that actively works against you. In this episode, Ayeshah Abuelhiga of Mason Dixie joins Hey!Hunger's Shireen Khera to talk about what it actually takes to win in one of the toughest environments in grocery. From getting customers to physically find your product to navigating low awareness, inconsistent merchandising, and long repurchase cycles, you'll see behind the scenes into the real work behind building a brand that sells: What it actually takes to get customers to find, try, and buy your product in a challenging category Why getting on shelf is only the beginning and how to actively drive demand through demos, local marketing, and constant presence Why early brands should prioritize velocity and depth over expanding into more doors and how to know when you are truly ready to grow How to think about distribution, brokers, and expansion so you don't outgrow your ability to support the business How to understand your customer in a way that drives decisions on ingredients, pricing, and margins How to win the long game of building a brand in a category with high costs and slow repurchase cycles Whether you are in frozen or any competitive category, you'll learn what it really takes to turn early traction into real, lasting growth.
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Over $200 Million Is Up for Grabs, But Only If You Launch the Right Way
03/24/2026
Over $200 Million Is Up for Grabs, But Only If You Launch the Right Way
Expanding beyond the US is one of the biggest growth opportunities for CPG brands, and one of the easiest ways to get wrong. In this episode, Ruth Fittock, managing partner of Tomorrow Brands, breaks down what it actually takes to launch successfully in the UK, a market worth billions in annual food and beverage sales. Drawing on experience with brands like Vitamin Water, PopChips, and Harmless Harvest, she shares what separates brands that scale from those that stall. This conversation goes far beyond geography. It’s a deep dive into assessing true product market fit, identifying category white space, and determining if your brand is actually ready to scale. It also covers how to pace retail expansion, build demand before distribution, navigate strict regulations, and adapt positioning for a more skeptical consumer. Whether or not global expansion is on your roadmap, you’ll hear practical information to help build a brand that can win anywhere.
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