Nombase Podcast

Kristi Palmer from Kiva Confections and Lukas Southard, Senior Reporter at BevNET, join Community Call to discuss the profound impact of hemp-derived D9 on the cannabis edibles and beverage industry. Learn how brands are seizing new opportunities, the looming regulatory challenges, and consumer safety concerns surrounding lab testing and regulatory standards.

When Outfox Hospitality, parent holding company for Foxtrot Market and Dom's Kitchen and Market, suddenly shuttered its doors, CPG brands were left in the lurch. Affected businesses face not only lost inventory but also the missed opportunity to showcase products with retailers that were known for taking chances on new items. We'll talk to Couplet Coffee, Lexington Bakes, Better Sour, Parch, and Glonuts, all brands carried by Foxtrot, and Trent Moffat of Gotham Brands, and Sarah Dorey of Synergy Sales

Join Michael Movitz of Brandjectory and Monica Watrous, managing editor of Nosh, for a discussion on tactical insights for founders navigating challenging market conditions. They'll share examples of brands that have chosen to stay the course, pivot, or close up shop, providing valuable insights into the decision-making process. Plus, the key questions founders should be asking themselves and their teams, and how to use the answers to chart a path forward.

In an environment where venture firms are leaning toward conservatism, businesses are even more dependent on securing growth capital at earlier stages from angel investors. We talk to two seasoned angel investors, Nicole Bruno and Gefen Skolnick, alongside Ruth Berhane-Williams, founder of Equitea, who is actively exploring the angel investment landscape. Hear tips for identifying angel investors, understanding their preferences, and nurturing successful partnerships.

Join Melissa Li, investor at Offline Ventures, Brad Avery, senior reporter at BevNET/NOSH, and Peter Barrick, CEO of snack brand Rivalz, as they unravel the intricate world of AI within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. We'll take a look at AI beyond chatbots and image creation and explore how it's revolutionizing the way brands like Rivalz operate. From its capabilities to its limitations, discover how emerging brands are leveraging technology to propel themselves forward, and the implications this tech has on the CPG industry.

Bob Burke, a "known to most" CPG consultant and expert in the natural products industry, shares insights on how CPG brands can save money and improve cash flow. He explains strategies for SKU rationalization, strategic trade spending, and recognizing high-return sales opportunities such as Costco, TJX, and private label programs that drive cost out of the system.

Industry veterans Gerry Khermouch and Beverage Whisperer Ken Sadowsky share their tips how to tighten business expenditures and improve cash flow. Learn the tactics they recommend for dialing in DSDs, honing in on product-market fit, when to say "no", and how to identify worthwhile growth opportunities.

Ghia is taking the non-alcoholic market by storm and generating exposure with a thoughtful strategy that includes strategic out of home marketing. Melanie Masarin, CEO & Founder of Ghia, and Tom Shea of Adgile media explain how they decide when and where to put resources, how to track results (yes, it's possible!), tactical tips that help squeeze value from each campaign, and specific techniques that drive brand awareness.

Belgian Boys' Anouck Gotlib and Tracy Motz offer insider tips and tricks to help exhibitors have the best Expo West. Hear their strategies on how much and what to sample, creating memorable swag, aligning show goals across departments, nailing booth basics, and navigating the balance between sharing innovation and protecting trade secrets.

The Fresh Market's Wade Yenny, Goodles, and Pocket's Chocolates join NOSH's managing editor, Monica Watrous on Community Call to share insider tips + tricks on how to attract quality traffic at an expansive show like Expo West. Find out the secret to swag that attendees will be talking about all year long, sampling strategies that will make you unforgettable, and what buyers and the press want to take away from their interactions at booth exhibits. PLUS, the simple "must haves" that will make your booth pop and run efficiently.

Fresh Thyme, the midwest chain of natural and organic-focused stores, claims its stake in meeting customers where they are by offering both conventional and natural products, and making better-for-you groceries accessible to all. Jonathan Lawrence, VP Center Store at Fresh Thyme, explains which brands and products have the best opportunity to succeed at FT, delves into what his customers are looking for, and offers insights into how brands can effectively pitch to this retailer and achieve success once their products are on the shelf.

Sherry Frey of NielsenIQ offers exclusive insights into current consumer trends and purchasing habits. Find out why low sodium might be the next big trend, how inflation is impacting consumer behavior, the good news for protein, what exactly clean label means right now, and delve into the influence of GLP-1 weight loss drugs on current consumer product preferences.

Join Kaitlin Morgan of SPINS shares RTD beverage data during our Community Call, where we'll uncover trends in functionality, sweeteners, and flavor. Discover the key industry indicators shaping the landscape, and delve into the essential themes to understand how brands and entrepreneurs can leverage this data for intelligent innovation. Go to slack.bevnet.com/General Discussion channel for a companion presentation to this podcast or email [email protected]

AnaMaria Friede, Director of Merchandising, and Brooke Gil, Principal Category Merchant, at Whole Foods Market, shares the latest strategies on how brands can successfully navigate this retailer. We'll local program updates and how brands can take advantage of them, the latest planogram information, what makes a winning pitch, and the CPG trends they're most interested in right now.

Arnulfo Ventura shares his winning blueprint for achieving exponential growth in CPG, drawing from his own experience as an entrepreneur and in leadership roles at PepsiCo, Califia Farms, Beanfields, and Alter Eco. With a track record of guiding brands to success and facilitating exits for acquired brands, Arnulfo shares insights on preserving founder mentality, leveraging company culture, and implementing strategic brand enhancements. Discover the tactis to propelling growth and strategically positioning a brand for acquisition.

Dan-O's viral TikTok videos transformed the brand from a struggling business to a social media sensation. Learn the straightforward content tactics, algorithm insights, and influencer strategies that exponentially grew the brand's digital presence and sales, proving that sometimes, a little creativity goes a long way.

Oliver Buccicone, CEO of Michele's Granola, and Lauren Shafer, Marketing Director of Michele's Granola, take us behind the scenes on LTOs. Find out how LTOs can be a pipeline for core offerings, open doors and build partnerships, and increase your consumer base. They'll also discuss the tough side of innovation including lifecycle management and smart sku rationalization for operational excellence.

Kim Greenfeld, former private label buyer for Whole Foods Market and Trader Joes, joins us to give a behind the scenes look into how to win at the private label game. Find out what kind of innovation gets a buyer's attention, how to protect brand equity, and how to know whether and when the private label game is right for your brand.

Costco is one of the ultimate club channels for natural CPG. High volumes, targeted consumers, and clean business dealings make this a coveted channel for so many brands, but it's crucial to fully understand expectations and best practices before launching into this retailer. Jeremy Smith from LaunchPad Group breaks down how Costco does business, what they're looking for from brand partners, and how to thrive after you get on shelf.

Beverage sales are hugely dependent on DSD networks, but if you don't know how to implement and manage the relationship, your product may be an afterthought to the team. Join Trent Moffat of Gotham Brands and JW Fischer of Nirvana Water for a discussion on what DSDs need to be successful, what you should expect, and how to manage the relationship for maximum placements and velocity.

Soom Foods is well known for their tahini sourced from Ethiopian sesame seeds that produce a smooth and delicious tahini. Soom has a chocolate sku that's not turning as quickly as they think it should, and we're bringing in the experts to troubleshoot. Join Fred Hart of Interact Brands, Adam Levit of Velocity Sales, and Amy Zitelman, founder of Soom Foods, and listen as the team assesses the situation and brainstorms solutions.

Gross margin and velocity are two of the top indicators for success as a CPG business, and nailing the right price is key in getting both of those dialed in. Ariana Farahani of Plant Press is working on just that and we've called in pricing expert Scott Sanders to dive into a pricing model that accounts for distributor costs and trade spend to protect gross margin in the long term.

Sara Stender Delaney of Sarilla is committed to using regeneratively grown ingredients in her canned teas, but wants to know how to market them in a way that drives trial and repeat purchases. Tina Owens, Managing Director of the Nutrient Density Alliance, has some brilliant, data backed ideas that directly appeal to human health and wellness. Fun fact: did you know you might be able to combat the "hangries" with regenerative? Tune in for the full story!

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is increasingly important for CPG brands to weave into their business models. Ben Mand and the Harmless Harvest team talk about how they deal with the supply chain issues that come with an agriculture centered product, how to set goals that support business holistically (and what to do when you miss those goals), and surprising insights on how they successfully market sustainability.

What if you build your Community before you even launch your brand? Madi Lieber and Michelle Cordeiro Grant did just that, taking what they learned at Meta, Google, Lively, and Thrillist to the CPG world as they build their beverage brand, Gorgie. Find out how a community-first model can foolproof decision making, and the tactics and strategy they've found to be successful.

UNFI's UpNext program is designed to curate and incubate emerging brands. Aaron May, Senior Manager of the UpNext program, explains their criteria for brand selection, the most common mistakes brands make when starting out with UNFI, and how to directly access the UNFI team for advice and support.

Jason Bronstad of Malk, Ayeshah Abuelhiga of Mason Dixie, and Sean Connor of ForceBrands talk about the future of leadership, current hiring trends, and how to keep teams feeling inspired and connected in today's working environment. They also discuss which positions are in high demand right now, how to prioritize hires that align with business goals, and tactics to build an engaging team culture, no matter what the size.

Jing Gao popularized chili crisp with Fly By Jing in grocery retail and transformed Global aisles to include an entire set of the condiment. But, it wasn't easy. Jing talks about how building a DTC audience laid a foundation for retail, why the premium price tag was not only crucial to business health when investment was impossible to secure, but also an important step towards valuing Chinese culture, and how her version of chili crisp is traditional - not personal.

Omsom's innovative, personalized, and identity forward approach to digital marketing paved the way for record growth on their foundational DTC platform. Founders Vanessa and Kim Pham discuss the issues they encountered while scaling the business from DTC to brick-and-mortar, and learn the solutions they used to scale distribution nationally with Whole Foods Market and Target.

The convenience store channel is just about the most competitive and expensive you'll find in CPG, but the promise of sky high velocities and an immediate way to reach new customers is undeniably attractive. Andy Steele of Ollipop and BODYARMOR, and Vanessa Walker of NEW YOU BRANDS and La Croix lay out the cost of doing business, when the right time to launch is, secrets for getting your products on shelf, and why the changing landscape is good news for BFY food and beverage brand alike.

Social Media and influencer marketing is just the beginning of how the landscape of earned PR has changed, but Sara Brooks of Goldilocks PR comes to the rescue with years of experience and scrappy strategy that even the most emerging brands can make use of. Sara tells us how to pitch traditional outlets like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, exactly how to get started with TikTok and content creation that feels authentic, and how and when to activate influencer partnerships that produce results.

You won't find a smarter, more experienced, or creative marketing duo than Mari Lee and Katie Geyer of Nutrabolt / C4. Find out how they choose events that support customer acquisition goals, activations that actually drive velocities in store, and a brilliant nugget of wisdom on how to find influencer partners that deeply resonate with your brand.

When Biena Snacks launched their Tasty Thins line in the salty snacking category, they employed a high ROI, multi-layered retail activation approach that helped them rise to the top - fast. Find out which retailers they worked with first and why, the retailer marketing programs that drove velocity through the roof, and how they track and use data to build a formula for success.

Looking for a "how to" on raising venture capital right now? Kiva Dickinson of Selva Ventures and Chuck Cotter of Holland & Hart discuss in detail the factors they use to determine value in potential partnerships, how founders and brands can become outliers that garner investor attention, and how to prevent agreements from being tripped up in the due diligence process.