Taste Radio

When the pursuit of success comes at the expense of your mental health, it's time to reevaluate your priorities. That's the perspective of Ann Yang, the co-founder of upcycled produce company Misfit Foods, who recently stepped away from a day-to-day role to focus on her well being. In an interview included in this episode, Yang, 25, opened up about how the stress of entrepreneurship led to unhappiness and depression, and, ultimately, her decision to leave the company. She also explained how therapy has become a critical part of her life, her belief that we live in a culture that "mythologizes who the entrepreneur is," and the resulting pressure to build "a personal brand." Show notes: 1:29: Burger King at BevNET? Impossible! -- The episode's hosts discussed John Craven's recent visit to San Diego and Jon Landis' impending move to the city. They also spoke about a few new products shipped to BevNET HQ, including frozen crispy filled potatoes, pecan butters and clean label dressings. Later, they chatted about the national launch of Burger King's Impossible Whopper, several of which were being delivered to the office on the day of the recording. 14:33: Interview: Ann Yang, Co-Founder, Misfit Foods -- Yang spoke with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg about the genesis and development of Misfit Foods and explained why she decided to step away from the company. Yang also discussed why entrepreneurs have to make a conscious decision to address their health to avoid burnout and depression, why the natural food industry "has a long way to go in terms of investment in diversity," the fear of saying "I don't know," and why emotional intelligence is a learned skill. Brands in this episode: Swiss Rosti, Impossible Foods, Purely Pecans, Humble Nut Butter, Sunday Provisions, Brizo, Lily's, Misfit Foods

Travis Grillo heard it over and over: "you're crazy." It's a line that many entrepreneurs are familiar with, but Grillo's plan to launch a fresh pickle brand was met with particular derision. Unfazed by the naysayers, in 2009 he opened a small food cart in Boston selling pickle spears to the city's denizens and tourists. The cart became a cult sensation, and Grillo, who used to wear a pickle-shaped costume while selling his wares, made a million dollars by his third year. Grillo's Pickles has since become a nationally distributed brand carried at several major chains, including Target, Whole Foods and Walmart, and generates tens of millions of dollars in sales annually. In an interview included in this episode, Grillo spoke about why he pursued his passion despite the skeptics and explained why he fondly recalls the days when he was struggling and broke. He also discussed the unconventional way that Grillo's got into Whole Foods, how he considers new hires and investment and why he's just as likely to take advice from a homeless person as he would from a billionaire. Show notes: 2:48: Interview: Travis Grillo, Founder/CEO, Grillo's Pickles -- Grillo spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about his journey from an out-of-work sneaker designer to the creator of one of the fastest-growing food brands in America. As part of their conversation, Grillo discussed the early days of the brand, from selling pickles from the trunk of his car, to the launch of a food cart in Boston Common and how the area's homeless population played a key role in the development of Grillo's. He also talked about why he positioned it as a lifestyle brand based on healthy living and why, in the first few years, he wanted Grillo's "to look smaller than we really were." Later, he explained his approach to conflict resolution in the office, and creating a "chill" atmosphere and where he draws inspiration for new products. Brands in this episode: Grillo's Pickles, Claussen Pickles

Two years after launching his plant-based protein bar brand No Cow in 2015, founder/CEO Daniel Katz was burning the candle at both ends, sleeping in his office and working 18-hour days, seven days a week. He was just 20 years old and primarily running the business on his own, but was already accustomed to the hustle and grind of entrepreneurship, having launched several businesses in his teens. Eventually, Katz's hard work began to pay off. By 2017, No Cow had achieved national distribution at a broad range of retailers, was generating $10 million in sales and landed an investment from General Mills' 301 INC venture capital unit. Today, the brand is sold at Walgreens, Wegmans, CVS, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Kroger, and is expected to reach $20 million in revenue by the end of the year. In an interview included in this episode, Katz spoke about his passion for entrepreneurship and the genesis of No Cow, which he launched with no business plan or extensive market research. He also discussed his initial "play the numbers" retail strategy and why it worked, why he rarely asks for advice, and the decision to hire a veteran CPG executive as CEO and why Katz was back in the role just a year later. Show notes: 0:48: This Is Your Shot to Focus, Strategize and Meet a Genie -- The hosts discussed recent visits to BevNET HQ by the founders of an herbal energy shot, a line of functional lemonades, and a new brand of switchel-inspired beverages. They also spoke about a new machine being described as the "Keurig of Food," ways that service and supplier companies can improve their marketing strategies, and the most recent issue of BevNET Magazine. 11:00: Interview: Daniel Katz, Founder/CEO, No Cow -- In an interview recorded by phone, Katz spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about his career as an entrepreneur, which began in his teens. He also discussed his decision to drop out of college after just three months and start an energy drink brand," how he identified plant-based protein as a sustainable and long-term trend and how it led to the creation the launch of No Cow. Katz also talked about why he has always viewed No Cow as a national brand and how The Vitamin Shoppe became the company's first retailer and what it taught him about the value of leverage. Later he explained why he doesn't rely on advisors or mentors for support, and why he chose to partner with General Mills' 301 INC unit. Brands in this episode: Vitaminwater, Hemp2o, Kafina, Moti, Petal, White Claw, Chobani, Genie, Juicero, Sound Sparkling Tea, Seasons Sparkling, Cham Tea, Perfect Bar, Corina's Switchy, No Cow, Vega, Quest Nutrition, Coca-Cola, Pepsi

When offering his take on the man affectionately nicknamed "The Beverage Whisperer," Vita Coco co-founder/CEO Mike Kirban might have said it best: "I don't believe there is anyone in the beverage world that needs a reference letter less than Ken Sadowsky." As one of the industry's best known and most respected insiders, Sadowsky is a longtime investor and advisor to many high-profile and category leading brands, including Vitaminwater, Vita Coco, Bai, Hint and Califia Farms. He's also a senior advisor to Verlinvest, a Belgium-based investment holding company founded by the owners of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the Executive Director of NIDA, a group of independent beverage distributors in the Northeast. In an interview included in this episode, he spoke about his background in the business and how he assesses opportunities to align with and invest in early stage brands. He also offered his perspective on leadership, why he believes that entrepreneurs should be wary of indecisiveness and shared his thoughts on notable categories and emerging trends. Show notes: 2:33: Interview: Ken Sadowsky, The Beverage Whisperer -- Sadowsky sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and BevNET CMO Mike Schneider at BevNET HQ for a conversation that began with Sadowsky recounting the early days of his career working at his family's distribution company. He also spoke about his investment strategy, why it's occasionally a "Ready. Fire. Aim." approach and why "by the end of the evaluation period, it's much more about the person than the product." Later, he discussed his involvement with Bai, spoke about the role of decisiveness and confidence as a characteristic of good leaders and why standing out on shelf is a requirement of package design. Finally, he reflected on past and present trends, including why CBD could be promoted as "anti-energy," and the rise of "sober curious" beverages. Brands in this episode: California Cooler, Bartles & Jaymes, Zima, Hint, Bai, Vita Coco, Vitaminwater, Sambazon, Essentia, Forto, Califia Farms, Kona Red, Red Bull, Monster Energy, Coco Cafe, GURU Energy, Dark Dog Energy, Runa, Guayaki, TeaRIOT, Marley's Mellow Mood, Just Chill, GoodBelly, Riazul, Corina's Switchy, Seedlip

Ray DeRosa, the founder and CEO of dandelion-based tea brand Lion Tea, knows that it's an uphill battle getting consumers to understand why they should drink his products. How do you communicate the detoxifying and digestive health benefits of the beverages without a significant financial investment in consumer education that start-up companies like his rarely have? As DeRosa explained in an interview included in this episode, he's tackled this issue by using a simple, yet powerful and efficient method to create brand loyalists: direct conversations with potential consumers. "There's really nothing that compares in the early days to just talking to 50 or 75 people about your product," he said. "It took us a long time to realize that if we let people try our product and understand the functionality, they're going to come back for it." As part of our interview, DeRosa shared his journey as a beverage entrepreneur and how he weathered early stumbles on his way towards securing national distribution for Lion Tea at natural grocery chain The Fresh Market and a fast-growing e-commerce business on Amazon. He also spoke about why "finding the partners that are going to provide you extraordinary support in the early days ultimately make you successful" and how mentorship from Health-Ade Kombucha Co-Founder/CEO Daina Trout supported his development as a leader. Show notes: 1:36: A Scary Way to Start The Show -- The hosts discussed the variety of new shot brands and products that came into the office this week, including a line of CBD-infused shots from Sunday Scaries, whose booth at Expo West 2019 had an impact on BevNET CMO Mike Schneider. They also spoke about why the direct message feature on Instagram has become a useful way to communicate with industry professionals, why Mike isn't crazy about "yummus," and an interesting new brand of matcha beverages. 11:00: Interview: Ray DeRosa, Founder/CEO, Lion Tea -- DeRosa spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about how his experience with a rare eye condition spurred the creation of Lion Tea, his experience as a competitor in New Beverage Showdown 13 at BevNET Live Summer 2017 and why entrepreneurs should be realistic about rapid growth expectations. He also explained why simply surviving the first two years provided the company with a foundation for growth, why he "drew a line in the sand" when reassessing Lion Tea's retail strategy and how it benefited the company, why brand ambassadors have been critical to the brand's development and how he collates and quantifies raw sales data from Amazon. Brands in this episode: Sunday Scaries, Ethan's, Stonyfield Farm, Back Bay Roasters, Just N' Case, Grillo's, Min's Matcha, Lion Tea, Health-Ade Kombucha

Immersed in the booming business of esports, G Fuel, a fast-growing brand of gamer-focused energy powders and ready-to-drink beverages, is pressing all the right buttons. Since its debut in 2014, G Fuel's rapid ascent has mirrored that of competitive video gaming, an industry expected to top $1 billion in revenue this year. Having amassed a loyal following of esports participants and enthusiasts, G Fuel products generated overall sales of $25 million last year; according to Cliff Morgan, founder of G Fuel parent company Gamma Labs, its powders alone are currently pulling in $1 million per week. In an interview included in this episode, Morgan, an investment banker turned beverage entrepreneur, spoke about G Fuel's development and how it has been able to weave itself into the social fabric of the gaming community through influencer marketing, partnerships and original content. He also discussed the importance of constant and focused interaction with G Fuel's consumers through digital platforms like Twitch and why he's taken a personal interest in the brand's social media initiatives. Show notes: 2:41: Cliff Morgan, Founder/CEO, Gamma Labs -- In a call with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif, Morgan spoke about the emergence of esports in mainstream culture, including the recently held Fortnite World Cup, a gaming competition that attracted two million viewers. He also discussed the genesis of the brand's alignment with esports, its communication strategy and how it works with influencers to create "an authentic integration within the gamer lifestyle." He also explained the company's hiring process, why most employees engage with consumers via their personal social media accounts and how Twitch, a live streaming platform popular with the gaming community, has become a critical part of the brand's marketing strategy. Finally, Morgan spoke about the opportunities and challenges in launching G Fuel's ready-to-drink line, which debuted earlier this month. Brands in this episode: G Fuel, Bang, Monster, Red Bull

In this episode, we're joined by Rizal Hamdallah, the Global Chief Innovation Officer of Ocean Spray, for a discussion about how companies of all sizes can use innovation to positively impact the food system. Hamdallah recently arrived at Ocean Spray from Tyson Foods, where he served as managing director of the company's Innovation Lab, an incubation unit designed to rapidly bring new and potentially disruptive products to market. In his current role, he's focused on a similar mission: helping the farmer-owned cooperative develop new, health-focused products. As part of our conversation, Hamdallah explained why he's bullish about the future of personalized nutrition, how the company attempts to "develop and deliver innovative products that consumers didn't even know they needed," why he views Ocean Spray's size as a key advantage over smaller companies, and why he's critical of how some brands are promoting sustainability. Show notes: 1:16: Livin' That New-Age Life -- The hosts sipped and snacked their way through a dozen new food and beverage products sent to the office over the past week, including CBD-infused coconut water and coffee, cheese-dusted granola, and chocolate-covered chickpeas. Later on, Mike remarked on the number of new hydration-focused powders coming to market. 15:33: Rizal Hamdallah, Global Chief Innovation Officer, Ocean Spray -- In an interview recorded at Ocean Spray's new Boston office, Hamdallah spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about his new role with the company, why he views Boston as a key hub for the food and beverage industry, how he defines "innovation" and the elements of an innovative concept. He also explained why companies need to incorporate the "self-centered" mentality of modern consumers into their innovation strategy, why leaders have to "walk the walk," and why testing and learning must include constant iteration. Finally, he offered his take on a few major food trends, including plant-based formulations, reduced sugar and sustainability. Brands in this episode: C-WTR, Good Day, Nix and Kix, Seven Teas, Moti, Health-Ade Kombucha, Coco To Go, Bumble and Butter, Smartfood, Stonyfield, lil'gourmets, Lebby Snacks, Biena, Whoppers, Gatorade, BodyArmor, Skratch Labs, Superieur Electrolytes, Cure Hydration, Benni, SoS Hydration, Liquid I.V., Barnacle Foods, Ocean Spray, Tyson Foods

If you're familiar with yerba mate, you're probably familiar with Guayaki. Founded in 1996, Guayaki was one of the first companies to introduce yerba mate -- a naturally caffeinated herbal infusion native to South America -- to U.S. consumers. In the years since, the brand, which markets a range of ready-to-drink and loose leaf products, helped create a loyal and rapidly expanding market for the beverage, while establishing itself as a vertically integrated company driven by responsible and sustainable business practices. In an interview included in this episode, co-founder David Karr discussed why a focus on "regenerative thinking" throughout the company's growth has guided its business strategy, rather than "an end dollar, an end goal." "There's no end game," he said. "It's a mindset. The greatest influence we're going to have as a tribe or as a collective is to inspire rather than to have to do it all ourselves." Within our conversation, Karr opened up about Guayaki and its origins, how the brand creates evangelists for yerba mate, why he considers the business as "a reforestation vehicle," how the company communicates its mission to consumers and its unique approach to distribution and hiring. Show notes: 2:29: David Karr, Co-Founder, Guayaki -- Karr met with BevNET CMO Mike Schneider in Brooklyn and discussed his journey as the co-founder of Guayaki. Karr explained how the brand got its name, how his experience studying abroad in Europe shaped his business perspective and the story of his introduction to mate via co-founder Alex Pryor. He also spoke about why he abandoned plans to start a tech company in favor of launching Guayaki, the early days of demoing the brand across California in a Volkswagen bus and having personally served millions of cups to consumers, why he believes that "time is an illusion" and what it makes to "make it" as an entrepreneur. He also discussed Guayaki's "Market Driven Regeneration" business model and how he measures its impact, staying privately-owned, the company's approach to self-distribution and its goal to hire 10,000 formerly incarcerated people over the next decade. Brands in this episode: Guayaki, Red Bull

This week's episode features interviews with the founders of three innovative brands and focuses on how each landed placement in their dream retailers. Jesse Wolfe, the founder of dressing brand O'Dang Hummus, Lisa Curtis, the founder of Kuli Kuli, a brand of moringa-based foods and beverages and Tyler Noyes, the co-founder of meat snack brand Kalahari Biltong, discussed their respective paths into popular chains, including Publix, Walmart, Sam's Club and Wegmans, and revealed key steps along the way. Show notes: 1:21: The European Kombucha Tour & Pickles On a Beach -- The episode opens with John Craven fiddling with adaptogenic drops, discussing his recent visit to Europe and recounting the variety of kombucha brands he saw during his travels. The hosts also bantered about a kombucha product created for SodaStream, munched on superfood bars with compostable packaging, pondered as to whether Ray's beach attire is dissimilar from his everyday outfit, and spoke about a few ready-to-pour cocktail brands. 16:48: Interview: Jesse Wolfe, Founder/CEO, O'Dang Hummus -- In an interview recorded at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, Wolfe spoke about the years-long process of getting O'Dang Hummus, a brand of hummus-based dressings, into Publix, a Florida-based chain of conventional grocery stores. Wolfe went into detail about how the brand, now distributed at 1,200 Publix locations, was conceived, why he believed that Publix was the right fit, his first interaction with the retailer, how an appearance "Shark Tank" kept it out of the chain and how the company ultimately won acceptance on shelf. 33:45: Interview: Lisa Curtis, Founder/CEO, Kuli Kuli -- Curtis, who appeared Taste Radio Ep. 98, sat down with editor Ray Latif at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, for an interview about how Kuli Kuli landed at Walmart. As part of their conversation, Curtis explained why Walmart had been in her sights nearly since the brand's inception, how years of persistent email communication with a buyer eventually led to a key meeting, and why sales data was a critical part of getting on shelf. She also spoke about how an unplanned car ride with a fellow entrepreneur played an important role in winning placement at Sam's Club and why the wholesale/club retailer was interested in bringing the brand into its stores. 46:18: Interview: Tyler Noyes, Co-Founder, Kalahari Biltong -- Noyes met with Latif at BevNET HQ in Watertown, Mass. and spoke about the origins of Kalahari Biltong, a brand of thinly-sliced meat snacks, and why he identified Wegmans, a regional grocery chain known for its product selection and shopping experience, as its ideal retailer. He also explained how the company's strong relationship with its national distribution partner, paved the way to placement at Wegmans, how e-commerce data helped seal the deal, and how Kalahari is supporting the brand at the retailer's nearly 100 locations. Brands in this episode: Lokai, Health-Ade, SodaStream, Soda Press Co., MiO, GT's Kombucha, LivBar, Clif Bar, Rick's Picks, On The Rocks, LIQS, Fireball, Knob Creek, Cruzan Rum, Straightaway Cocktails, OWYN, Soylent, Fly By Jing

A pioneer of premium candy, Jelly Belly made its name by infusing jelly beans with innovative and oddball flavors, like buttered popcorn, juicy pear, strawberry cheesecake and toasted marshmallow. Driven by consumer demand for new and interesting flavor experiences, the brand has consistently pushed the envelope with product development, an innovation strategy that's resulted in plenty of wins, along with a few howlers. However, in an interview included in this episode Jelly Belly president/CEO Lisa Rowland explained her belief that "you never know when our failures are going to be something that may turn into one of our greatest successes." As an example, Rowland recounted how one disastrous flavor (cheese was involved) that never made it to market turned out to be quite useful down the line. Also within our interview, Brasher explained how Jelly Belly's focus on creating unique experiences for its consumers has contributed to its evolution into an iconic brand. She also discussed the impact of the brand's relationship with Ronald Reagan, how "better for you" and functional varieties fit into the portfolio and how the company collects and incorporates consumer feedback into new product development. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects. Show notes: 2:38: Lisa Rowland Brasher, President/CEO, Jelly Belly -- In an interview recorded at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, Brasher spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about the history of the Jelly Belly brand, which made its debut in 1976. She also discussed how Jelly Belly has maintained its strong brand equity amid an evolving market for candy, why the company positions its products as "gourmet" and why visual appeal is just as important as taste for jelly beans. Brasher also spoke about the company's innovation strategy and how its "better for you" and functional varieties, including sugar-free jelly, organic, and "sport" jelly beans, fit into the brand portfolio, and why it created booger and barf flavors (yes, you read that correctly). Later, she discussed how the company addresses challenges as a family-owned business and the importance of communication when working across multiple generations. Brands in this episode: Jelly Belly, A&W, Krispy Kreme

In his fourteenth year as an entrepreneur, Rick Field, the founder and CEO of premium pickle brand Rick's Picks, says he's always happy to share advice and insights on what it takes to make it in the food business. However, in an interview included in this episode, he noted that every meeting with a potential entrepreneur starts with one question that will determine the length of their conversation. "If you answer it 'yes,' we can talk for an hour," he said. "If you answer it 'no,' the interview is over and you'll know why. The question is: 'Do you love paperwork?' Because if you don't love paperwork, you're not going to make it in the grocery industry. And I'm dead serious. It's a very sobering thing to realize that a lot of the fantasy elements that people associate with their culinary lifestyle and experience give way to a really difficult business and filled with, frankly, a lot of people who could care less about your fate. You're just a data input in a spreadsheet. You have to resign yourself to that." As part of our conversation, Field also discussed the origins of his brand and how he identified white space in a legacy category. He also explained why he describes the Rick's Picks journey as "champagne on a beer budget," the dangers of hitting an entrepreneurial plateau and how innovation spurred a renewed interest in his brand. Show notes: 1:22: Thoughts On Sustainability and a Nu Take on Milk -- With three of the regular hosts out of the office this week, Mike Schneider was joined by BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero and NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg for a conversation that included insights on sustainability trends in food and beverage, Oatly ice cream hitting the U.S., and their thoughts on NüMilk, a make-your-own almond milk machine available in select Whole Foods stores. 16:50: Interview: Rick Field, Founder/CEO, Rick's Picks -- In an interview recorded at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, Taste Radio editor Ray Latif sat down with Field, who is the creator of Rick's Picks, an innovative brand that helped usher in a super-premium tier for the pickle category. Field spoke about the early days of the brand and how selling at farmers' markets led to a partnership with upscale fast food chain Shake Shack. He also discussed how the brand focuses on "extreme differentiation" in terms of flavor profiles and creating multiple day part uses for its products, the story of how Rick's Picks landed at Whole Foods, "premium-izing" pickle sets at conventional retailers, and how the company identifies its core consumers. Later he explained why he views entrepreneurship as being an "army of one" and often a lonely pursuit. Brands in this episode: Rick's Picks, Guayaki, Nestle, Vita Coco, Liquid Death, Good Mylk, Modest Mylk, NüMilk, Aqua Vitea, Oatly, Belgian Boys, Honey Mama's, Farmhouse Culture, GoodBelly, Vlasic

How did Stew Leonard's, a small, family-owned and operated grocery chain based in Connecticut, become known as 'America's Favorite Grocery Store'? According to Stew Leonard Jr., the company's president and CEO, there's a simple secret to its success: an emphasis on meeting and engaging with its customers in the aisles of its stores. "Being on the store floor is critical to the success of a company, and if people start trying to manage from an office I think the company is going to run into problems," Leonard said in an interview included in this episode. "You can learn a tremendous amount just by talking to those customers. Get out in the store and walk around. Because it's about that customer out there filling that shopping cart up. I've got to make sure we never lose that." That focus has fueled the company's growth from one store in 1969 to six current locations with nearly $500 million in annual sales and more than 3,000 employees. As part of our interview, Leonard spoke at length about the company's focus on customer interaction and how it has helped create a unique and high-quality shopping experience. He also discussed the evolution of the chain's food offerings and how it selects brands for its stores, how company attempts to stay current with food trends, his perspective on leadership, and how Stew Leonard's is planning for the future. Show notes: 2:51: Interview: Stew Leonard Jr., President/CEO, Stew Leonard's -- In an interview recorded at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, Leonard sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif for a conversation covering a range of topics, including his experience at the annual trade show and how it helps inform Stew Leonard's merchandising strategy. He also spoke about the origins of the grocery chain and its focus on fresh and perishable products; how "Stew Tank," the company's brand competition, got off the ground; the company's unique approach to R&D; and what the acronym S.T.E.W. means for employee training and customer service. Leonard also discussed how the company aims to make shopping an experience, why he peeks into consumers' refrigerators when evaluating food trends, and how Stew Leonard's curates its selection. Later, he explained why walking the aisles of his stores teaches him more about his shoppers than market research and how the company maintains its focus on customer service. Brands in this episode: French's

This edition of Taste Radio Insider features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and industry experts who joined us on the show during the first half of 2019, including Hint founder and CEO Kara Goldin, venture capitalist Chris Hollod, Recess founder and CEO Benjamin Witte, attorney and investor Ryan Lewendon, MALK founder and CEO August Vega and nutpods founder and CEO Madeline Haydon. This episode is presented by BevSource, an integrated provider of beverage development, production, sourcing, and logistics solutions to new and established beverage visionaries. Show notes: 1:12: Benjamin Witte, Founder/CEO, Recess -- We kick off the episode with Benjamin Witte, the founder and CEO of Recess, a sparkling water brand infused with CBD and adaptogens, that's generated an incredible amount of buzz since its debut in 2018. As part of our conversation, featured in Episode 24 of Taste Radio Insider, WItte explained why Recess is marketing a solution rather than an ingredient, and why he believes that today's brands "are built on your phone." 5:30: Madeline Haydon, Founder/CEO, Nutpods -- Next is Madeline Haydon, who is the founder and CEO of nutpods, a fast-growing brand of non-dairy, unsweetened creamers made from almonds and coconuts. We spoke with Madeline for an interview featured in Episode 16, in which she spoke with BevNET CMO Mike Schneider about focusing on high quality customer service has anchored nutpods' thriving direct-to-consumer and e-commerce strategies and helped it become a top-selling brand on Amazon. 9:57: Ryan Lewendon, Partner, The Giannuzzi Group -- We continue with Ryan Lewendon, a partner with influential CPG law firm The Giannuzzi Group. Lewendon joined us in Episode 23 and as part of a wide-ranging interview, he offered his perspective on why networking is all about building relationships and spoke about the dangers of treating equity "as too much of a currency." 13:46: August Vega, Founder/CEO, MALK -- Next is August Vega, the founder and CEO of MALK, a super-premium brand of organic nut milks and the winner of BevNET's New Beverage Showdown 10. In an interview from Episode 30, Vega spoke about why she envisioned MALK as a billion-dollar brand from the outset and explained why data has been critical to the company's development. 16:57: Chris Hollod, Founder/Managing Partner, Hollod Holdings -- Next is Chris Hollod, a venture capitalist focused on early-stage consumer brands, who we spoke with in Episode 29. As part of our interview, Hollod explained why digital strategy is at the top of his list when evaluating brands and also explained why he believes that his job requires him to predict innovation. 19:50: Kara Goldin, Founder/CEO, Hint -- Wrapping up the episode is Kara Goldin, the founder and CEO of flavored water company Hint. Kara knows a thing or two about building a brand around a successful e-commerce strategy: approximately 40 percent of the brand's $100 million in annual revenue comes from online sales, a majority of which is from its website. We spoke with Goldin in Episode 20 for an interview in which she discussed best practices for e-commerce and why data from online sales is critical to understanding Hint's audience. Brands in this episode: Recess, Nutpods, MALK, Verb Energy, Hint

In this highlight episode culled from interviews with six innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs who joined us on Taste Radio during the first half of 2019, we explore the role that innovation plays several for category-leading brands. Our guests include Vita Coco co-founder Mike Kirban, Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky, Justin's founder Justin Gold, Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendricks Gin creator Steve Grasse and WTRMLN WTR co-founder Jody Levy. This episode is presented by BevSource, an integrated provider of beverage development, production, sourcing, and logistics solutions to new and established beverage visionaries. Show notes: 1:36: Justin Gold, Founder, Justin's -- We kick off the episode with Justin Gold, who we featured in Episode 153. Gold is the founder of Justin's, a pioneering maker of better-for-you nut butters and snacks that was acquired by Hormel Foods for $286 million in 2016. In the following clip, Gold shared his perspective on the keys to innovation and improving the food system, the first thing he tells new entrepreneurs and the way he wants consumers to perceive Justin's. 7:51: Jody Levy, Co-Founder, WTRMLN WTR -- Next up is Jody Levy, the co-founder of beverage brand WTRMLN WTR. An artist and serial entrepreneur, Levy has overseen the evolution of WTRMLN WTR from a single product to a platform brand that sells products at over 25,000 locations nationwide. In this clip from Episode 155, she discussed the similarities between art and entrepreneurship and chronicled the history between her brand and music icon Beyonce, who is an investor in WTRMLN WTR. 14:45: Steve Grasse, Creator, Sailor Jerry Rum/Hendricks Gin -- We continue with Steve Grasse, the creator of iconic spirit brands Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendricks Gin. In a clip from our interview, which we featured in Episode 144, Steve spoke about the influence that bands have on his creative process and why an early focus group that panned the initial idea for Hendrick's Gin turned out to be a good thing. 18:56: Julie Smolyansky, CEO, Lifeway Foods -- We continue with Julie Smolyansky, the CEO of Lifeway Foods, a pioneering brand of kefir drinks. In this clip, pulled from Episode 147, Julie spoke about why Lifeway was one of the first brands to market the health benefits of probiotics and discussed how she dealt with the criticism and pressure that came with taking on the role of CEO at a relatively young age. 24:11: Chieh Huang, Co-Founder/CEO, Boxed -- From an interview included in Episode 152, Chieh Huang, the co-founder and CEO of online bulk retailer Boxed, discussed the evolution of mobile and e-commerce and explained why he believes the future of online food shopping "will feel like Netflix." 29:57: Mike Kirban, Co-Founder/CEO, Vita Coco -- Last, but certainly not least, we have Mike Kirban, the co-founder and CEO of coconut water powerhouse Vita Coco. As part of an interview featured in Episode 164, Mike discussed why he takes a hands-on approach in his day-to-day leadership of the company, why he hires based on attitude, why he's looking at potential brand acquisitions "all the time," and his belief that Vita Coco can be the "better-for-you beverage company for the next generation." Brands in this episode: Justin's, WTRMLN WTR, Sailor Jerry Rum, Hendricks Gin, Lifeway Foods, Vita Coco

On the heels of the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, this week's episode explores new and innovative concepts in the food and beverage industries as viewed through the lens of the annual trade show. As part of our conversation, BevNET's John Craven, Mike Schneider, Jon Landis and Ray Latif discussed the event's "Incubator Village," which showcased a number of food and beverage incubators from across the U.S., including Chobani's unit, The Hatchery and Commonwealth Kitchen, along with several of their respective portfolio brands. Later in the episode, we feature an interview with Smári Ásmundsson, the founder and CEO of Smári Organics, a maker of Icelandic-style skyr. Earlier this year, the company introduced Kaffi, an innovative line of cold brew coffee blended with Smari's protein-rich yogurt that is being positioned as a better-for-you energy drink. Ásmundsson spoke about how he assessed the opportunity to launch a beverage, the most challenging aspects in managing food and drink lines simultaneously and the unconventional path its coffee products have taken to profitability. Show notes: 1:21: Important Changes to Your Account, Incubator Villages, and More -- We kick off the episode with an important note to our audience: going forward we'll be posting new episodes of Taste Radio Insider on the same feed as our flagship Taste Radio podcast. The Taste Radio Insider feed will be phased out next month, so if you're not already a subscriber of Taste Radio on your listening platform of choice, whether it be Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify, make sure you get on that. Later in the show, the hosts discuss highlights and notable brands from an eventful 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, as well as Jon Landis' upcoming move to San Diego, why you'll save money -- and get an amazing view -- by registering for BevNET Live and NOSH Live today, and a couple recent visits from the folks behind nitro coffee brand King's Row Coffee, and jun kombucha maker Wild Tonic. 17:56: Smári Ásmundsson, Founder/CEO, Smári Organics -- Ásmundsson sat down with Taste Radio editor/producer Ray Latif for a conversation about the yogurt brand's foray into beverages and how he's navigated production and distribution challenges along the way. He also explained why the coffee drinks are made with non-organic ingredients, the process of selling food and beverage lines to a single retail chain, and how the influence of Nordic culture on the brand. Brands in this episode: Smari Organics, MudLrk, Lil Bucks, Blake's Seed Based, Seedly, Simply Soupreme, Jersey Barnfire, Straightaway Cocktails, Fire Brew, Superfrau, A Boring Life, Rind Snacks, Honey Mama's, UBU, King's Row Coffee, Wild Tonic, Steaz, Belgian Boys

Doss Cunningham was just a few years out of college when he was unexpectedly thrust into the role of CEO at sports nutrition company Nutrabolt in 2007. His primary focus: "don't screw it up." Cunningham's transition was not only successful, he since transformed Nutrabolt from a middling category player into an industry-leading powerhouse. Anchored by best-selling pre-workout brand C4, Nutrabolt is the largest independently owned nutraceutical company in the world, with retail sales exceeding $650 million. In an interview included in this episode, Cunningham spoke about his remarkable rise to the CEO role, and why focusing on premium as the guiding principle of the company's business strategy was key in the development of Nutrabolt and the genesis of C4. He also discussed the mission and focus of his venture capital firm LivWell Ventures and the lessons he hopes to impart to brand owners within its portfolio. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects. Show notes: 2:51: Interview: Doss Cunningham, Chairman/CEO, Nutrabolt -- In a conversation recorded at BevNET Live Summer 2019, Cunningham discussed the evolution of his role at Nutrabolt and his unusual path to becoming the company's CEO. He also spoke about the development of Nutrabolt's retail strategy and how it enabled company the company to grow without raising outside capital, and why the creation of C4 was a game changer for the sports nutrition industry. Later, Cunningham explained why he's focused on being a valued-added investor for early stage and innovative brands. Brands in this episode: Nutrabolt, C4, Cellucor

In this episode, we're joined by Sebastian Dreher, the managing director of Dohler Ventures U.S., the Los Angeles-based venture capital arm of Dohler, a global supplier of natural ingredients for the food and beverage industry. Dohler Ventures is specifically focused on investment in early-stage companies and its portfolio includes stakes in a number of fast-growing consumer brands. As part of our conversation, Dreher discussed Dohler Ventures' funding philosophy and why he believes that investing in emerging brands is more "art than science." "There is so much risk involved in every single deal that I need to have the feeling that this company has the potential to… have a $100 million exit," he said. "It's a lot of gut feel, [but] you can argue that gut feel is actually a lot of internalized pattern recognition and learnings over time." Dreher also spoke about how he evaluates scalable innovation, why category dynamics are crucial to Dohler's investment strategy, and why great founders are also great fundraisers. Show notes: 1:48: Wilde On B -- Post-BevNET events, the hosts chewed on chicken in chip form (thank you Wilde Brands), sipped on sparkling rooibos tea, snacked on salmon jerky and chastised Jon Landis for his beverage hoarding. Of course, CBD is also the mix. 10:43: Sebastian Dreher, Managing Director, Döhler Ventures U.S. -- In an interview recorded BevNET Live Summer 2019, Dreher spoke with Taste Radio editor/producer Ray Latif about the mission and focus of Dohler Ventures and how his passion for innovation has helped shape his role with the venture capital firm. He also explained why a brand's potential to create a new category is a key component of Dohler's funding philosophy, the average size of an investment and the number of investments that Dohler Ventures makes in a calendar year, and his view that "Investors don't invest in products, but in businesses, businesses that get acquired." Later he discussed his expectations for ROI, red flags that preclude him from investing in a brand, and how he manages relationships with entrepreneurs and other investors. Brands in this episode: Wilde Brands, BOS Tea, Fishpeople, Minna, Upwell

Thirteen years ago, Siggi Hilmarsson began selling the first versions of his Icelandic-style yogurt on the streets of Manhattan. At the time, the Siggi's brand he would eventually create didn't exist; the products were simply promoted as "really delicious thick yogurt" with "lots of protein," "low in fat" and "not so much sugar." While the marketing has since evolved, the company's core values remain unchanged, according to Hilmarsson; both were key to its development and eventual acquisition by French dairy giant Lactalis for a reported sum of $300 million in January 2018. In a wide-ranging interview included in this episode, Hilmarsson spoke about the evolution of Siggi's, from his early days slinging street yogurt through to the sale of the brand. He also discussed his current role with the company and why he's stayed on after the acquisition, the important role basketball plays in his life, why he's a "maybe, sort-of perfectionist," and why he urges entrepreneurs to "plan for success." This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects. Show notes: 2:57: Interview: Siggi Hilmarsson, Founder, Siggi's -- Hilmarsson sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif for an interview recorded at Siggi's headquarters in New York City. Early into their conversation, Hilmarsson spoke about how he developed a passion for basketball, his recent work to open new international markets for Siggi's, and the influence of Nordic cuisine on American food. Later, he discussed his first year in business and why one of his professors at Columbia University was so eager to invest in the brand, how the brand got its name, and recalled the story about how Siggi's got into Whole Foods. Hilmarsson also explained why overwhelming demand for the brand almost doomed the company, the lessons he learned about building an infrastructure for success and whether launching a second brand is in his future. Brands in this episode: Siggi's, Chobani, Stonyfield Farm

This episode features an interview with Sisun Lee, the co-founder and CEO of More Labs, a next-generation maker of functional beverages best known for hangover relief supplement Morning Recovery. Launched in 2017 via an Indiegogo campaign, the brand was an instant hit; Morning Recovery pulled in $3 million in revenue in its first six months on the market. Early success powered an $8 million Series A round -- based on a $33 million valuation -- in 2018 and new distribution at retailers like 7-Eleven and Urban Outfitters. In an interview with BevNET's John Craven and Mike Schneider, Lee discussed the factors and strategic decisions that led to Morning Recovery's rapid development, and how More Labs is attempting to create a platform for functional products. Show notes: 1:16: Live from Live -- On location in New York City, the hosts discussed highlights from day one of BevNET Live Summer 2019 and the preceding NOSH Live conference, including the New Beverage Showdown along with presentations and stage talks with vitaminwater/BodyArmor co-founder Mike Repole, Presence Marketing founder Bill Weiland, Caluipower founder/CEO Gail Becker and Whole Foods Market co-founder Walter Robb. 13:17: Interview: Sisun Lee, Co-Founder/CEO, More Labs -- In an interview recorded at More Labs headquarters, Lee spoke about how his background in tech and the influence of Korean culture played into the creation of Morning Recovery. He also discussed how a popular funding campaign on Indiegogo and a widely read article about the brand catapulted sales just a few months after its initial launch. Later, Lee spoke about the value of qualitative data and intuition as the company grew, how it sources consumer feedback and incorporates into its innovation strategy and why high-quality, minimalist content attracts more interest than communicating the science behind product. Brands in this episode: Vitaminwater, BodyArmor, Caulipower, Beckon Ice Cream, More Labs

As the founder of Popchips, Keith Belling helped usher in a new era for healthy snacking. Twelve years after the brand's launch, he's attempting to do the same for rice with RightRice, Belling's second food brand that debuted in February. In an interview included in this episode, Belling explained that RightRice is in many ways the culmination of an entrepreneurial career that's spanned law, real estate, online publishing and consumer products. At every stage, Belling said, his passion to solve personal, unmet needs drove the launch of new business ventures. "There's entrepreneurs that… finish one business and flick a switch and they're onto the new one," he said. "I've definitely never been that way. For me something has to start with a real passion, something that's important to me and fills a need. That ends up mapping an opportunity in the market, and then it starts to get interesting." As part of our conversation, discussed the origins of Popchips and RightRice and how lessons learned from building the former are being applied to the latter. He also spoke about the importance of branding and why he's overinvested in package design, how celebrity investors like Ashton Kutcher supported the development of Popchips and the challenges of leveraging success. This episode is presented by ZoomEssence, the cool-tech powder flavor people. Show notes: 2:30: Interview: Keith Belling, Founder, Popchips/RightRice -- In an interview recorded via weblink, Belling spoke about why new business ventures have to start with passion, how he was (almost) ahead of the curve with healthy jerky, and the genesis of his new company, RightRice. He also discussed his background in law and real estate, how the concept of Popchips was formed and why the brand has sought to emulate vitaminwater, and why direct interaction with consumers yielded key lessons in the development of the brand. Belling also explained how Ashton Kutcher became Popchips' "president of pop culture," spoke about the evolution of influencer marketing and its impact on business planning for RightRice, and revealed how the two brands got their names. Brands in this episode: Popchips, RightRice, Fritos, Krave Jerky, vitaminwater

Before teaRIOT established a multi-channel retail footprint that stretches across the U.S., and before its acceptance into the Chobani Incubator program, and before its recent $3 million Series A funding round, co-founders Laura and Steve Jakobsen were simply focused on building a brand. "What does [teaRIOT] look like?," Laura asked in an interview included in this episode. "How does it stand out on shelf? What are our consumers saying? How do we need to change it from the inside of the bottle to the outside of the bottle? We just stayed nimble for two years and made changes in our foundation to really tighten everything up." Throughout the process, teaRIOT, a brand of organic tea-based energy drinks, leaned heavily on social media to better understand its consumers and how they interacted with the brand and its products. "[We] not only use social media to publish outward but also to listen and to interact and engage. We always focus on what consumers are doing with our product. If you look at our [Instagram content], it really portrays the vitality of the brand. But in some pictures we don't even have the product. It's really about how people are living, being energized on tea." That approach has been particularly effective on Instagram, where teaRIOT has gained over 121,000 followers since its launch in 2015. As part of our interview, Laura and Steve expounded upon their approach to brand building and shared their perspective on the keys to a successful social marketing strategy. They also discussed their experience in the Chobani Incubator and lessons from the program, and explained why teaRIOT's investors must also be consumers of the brand. Show notes: 1:16: Cassava… On The Cusp -- Just a few days away from NOSH and BevNET Live Summer 2019, the hosts reflected on the New Beverage Showdown 17 competition, munched on cassava-based snacks, sipped on a few innovative new beverages and shared a few recommendations for eating and drinking in New York City. 16:35: Interview: Laura and Steve Jakobsen, Co-Founders, teaRIOT -- In an interview at teaRIOT headquarters in Venice, Calif., BevNET's Mike Schneider spoke with Laura and Steve and engaged in a deep dive into teaRIOT's branding, marketing and social media strategies. As part of our conversation, Laura explained her perspective that "influencers are kind of dead" and why brands should focus on aligning with "real, authentic people in your community." They also discussed why it's important to partner with investors whose lifestyles fit with that of the brand, and how their experience in the Chobani Incubator helped reinvigorate their passion for entrepreneurship and the brand.

It's the first name in espresso and, not coincidentally, the last name of our interview guest in this week's episode. Illy has for decades been one of the world's most enduring coffee companies and is renowned for its singular, signature blend of coffee, commitment to quality standards and ethical responsibility. Led by chairman Andrea Illy, the third-generation leader of the Italian company and one of the global coffee industry's most influential figures, Illy revenues topped $540 million in 2018. As part of a wide-ranging conversation, Andrea spoke about his approach to running his family's business and how it has evolved over the years, the three most important attributes for "good coffee," how consolidation and climate change have impacted the industry and why Illy has long advocated direct trade with coffee farmers. He also explained his perspective that coffee should be treated with the same reverence as wine and why positioning it as an energy drink is "like using a Ferrari to go shopping." This episode is presented by ZoomEssence, the cool-tech powder flavor people. Show notes: 2:52: Interview: Andrea Illy, Chairman, illycaffè -- Illy met with Taste Radio editor/producer Ray Latif in New York City where he spoke about the company's focus and what differentiates it from other coffee producers. He also discussed the origins of illy brand and of his passion for coffee innovation, the company's contributions to espresso-specific technologies and its pioneering role in direct trade coffee sourcing. Later, he explained the company's approach to consistency in the quality of its coffee, and how climate change threatens to derail the industry's current growth. He also spoke about the impact that Starbucks has had on awareness about and access to better coffee, how entrepreneurial coffee brands are critical to the industry's success ("differentiation is the only alternative to commoditization"), why pricing coffee like wine makes sense, and the importance of maintaining independent ownership of the company. Brands in this episode: illycaffè, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Starbucks

In this week's episode of Taste Radio Insider, we're joined by Josh Zloof, the co-founder and CEO of Sudden Coffee, an innovative brand of specialty instant coffee. Founded in 2015, Sudden is attempting to revolutionize the $40 billion market for instant coffee by emphasizing its proprietary production process and by focusing on "scalable hospitality." As part of our conversation, Zloof spoke about Sudden's mission of using an instant product to democratize access to speciality coffee and why it was designed to be "Grandma proof." He also explained how the company has zeroed in on Gen X as its key consumer demographic, discussed the challenges of managing both manufacturing -- Sudden operates its own production facility -- and marketing as a small company, and why he believes that the product attributes of Sudden are more important that the brand itself. Show notes: 1:42: A Few Sips of "Mud Water," Canned Wine and Candy Milk — You know it's a special episode of Taste Radio Insider when the host gulp Snickers-flavored chocolate milk and wash it down with chai and wine. There's also discussion about people stealing John Craven's Instagram photos, the emergence of the canned wine segment, how Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, Calif. is the epicenter of food and beverage innovation, and why it's a no-brainer for entrepreneurs seeking investment to attend BevNET Live and/or NOSH Live. 13:40: Interview: Josh Zloof, Co-Founder/CEO, Sudden Coffee -- Zloof was visiting from San Francisco to attend the 2019 Specialty Coffee Expo and stopped by BevNET HQ to record an interview with Taste Radio editor/producer Ray Latif. Zloof spoke about the origins of the company and how prior jobs in supply chain logistics and hospitality fueled his interest in coffee. He also discussed how speciality coffee roasters including Intelligentsia have supported its development and reshaped its business model, how Sudden is attempting to create experiential moments for its customers, and why the long-term vision is about "branding the process." Brands in this episode: Snickers, Twix, MUD/WTR, Cha Cha Matcha, Four Sigmatic, Besa Mi Vino, Lila Wines, Oskar Blues, Sudden Coffee, Taster's Choice, Folgers, Intelligentsia, Starbucks, Equator Coffee, Ritual Coffee, Spark Coffee, Keurig, Dunkin'

Mike Kirban is unquestionably one of the most successful beverage entrepreneurs of all time, but if our interview with him offers any indication, his legacy is far from complete. Since co-founding Vita Coco in 2004, Kirban has guided the brand to domination in the coconut water space. Distributed over four continents, Vita Coco holds a 26 percent share of the global market for coconut water, which is estimated to be worth $2.5 billion, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Success has attracted many suitors over the years -- PepsiCo was reportedly in talks to acquire the brand in 2017 -- yet Vita Coco has remained independent, a key component of Kirban's plan to build upon the company's foundation and develop a beverage platform focused on better-for-you brands. "My goal over the next couple of years is to have four or five totally unique brands in-house under (Vita Coco parent company) All Market Inc. that play in different sub-segments of this healthier, functional drinks market," Kirban said. "Coke and Pepsi are really good at certain things, and they've done quite a lot of M&A in this functional beverage space, but their share of better-for-you beverages continues decline. It's not what they're good at. It's not what they're focused on. I believe that opens up this lane for us to just drive right through as we should be the ones who really create the better-for-you beverage company for the next generation." Within our wide-ranging interview, Kirban also discussed his leadership style, why he hires based on attitude over skill set and how Vita Coco considers innovation and potential acquisitions. He also explained what motivates him to personally invest in brands, and why living close to his office is key to work-life balance. This episode is presented by ZoomEssence, the cool-tech powder flavor people. Show notes: 2:43: Interview: Mike Kirban, Co-Founder/CEO, Vita Coco -- In an interview recorded at Vita Coco headquarters in New York City, Taste Radio editor/producer Ray Latif spoke with Kirban about the development of the coconut water brand and why he believes "inexperience served [him] well" over the years. He also discussed why he takes a hands-on approach in his day-to-day leadership of the company, how confidence plays into that role, and why Vita Coco offers unlimited vacation to its employees. Later, Kirban explained that you "have to be willing to make mistakes" when considering innovation, why he's looking at potential brand acquisitions "all the time," how he missed out on investing in Bai and why he sold his stock in Amazon in 2000. Brands in this episode: Vita Coco, Runa, WhistlePig, Sir Kensington's, Beanfields, Zico, Bai, Red Bull

In the latest installment of Taste Radio Insider, the hosts discussed the fallout from a controversial profile of GT's Kombucha creator GT Dave in Forbes magazine. Dave's comments about competing brands ignited a debate on LinkedIn about production standards and the impact of strategic investment in the kombucha category. Later in the show, we feature an interview with entrepreneur Suzie Yorke, the founder and CEO of Love Good Fats, a fast-growing brand of keto-friendly snack bars and shakes. Leading with a message of "fat is back, sugar is out," Love Good Fats launched in Canada in 2017 and has emerged as one of the leading brands in the keto space. As part of our conversation, Yorke discussed the company's fast start and how Love Good Fats is attempting to become the "beacon brand" for healthy fats. Show notes: 1:31: Hipster Taste Test — The episode begins with a discussion about an odd Vita Coco tweet and why it became one of the brand's most popular social media posts ever. Later, the hosts offered their take on a profile on GT's Living Foods founder/CEO GT Dave unsettled some in the kombucha community, including Health-Ade co-founder/CEO Daina Trout, who posted a response to the article on LinkedIn. 15:55: Interview: Suzie Yorke, Founder/CEO, Love Good Fats -- In an interview with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, Suzie spoke about her decision to launch the brand following a 25 year career as a marketing executive and how Love Good Fats got off to a fast start. She also discussed evolving consumer perception of healthy fats, the importance of staying on brand and why the two-year-old company has invested in TV advertising. Brands in this episode: Vita Coco, Thirsty Buddha, Harmless Harvest, GT's Kombucha, Health-Ade Kombucha, Proposition Cocktail Co., Love Good Fats

Just as the brand was shifting into high gear, the engine driving one of the hottest brands in food and beverage had basically stalled. Oatly, a Swedish-based brand of oat milk and oat milk-based products, has been available in Europe for over 25 years and entered the American market in 2016. The U.S. launch was timed to meet surging interest in plant-based dairy alternatives, but while Oatly anticipated a strong start, the overwhelming demand for product was more than the company could handle. Just months after its debut, Oatly was faced with severe out-of-stock issues and enraged customers as it sought short and long-term solutions to its supply chain challenges. Although Oatly has gotten back on track and is the leading brand in a thriving oat milk category, Mike Messersmith, the general manager of Oatly's U.S. operations, was candid about the company's early mistakes -- and the likelihood that more will follow. "We've already failed in the biggest ways possible; we'll do it again," he said in an interview included in this episode. "It's all about progress," Messersmith said. "Next week will be better than this week, a month from now will be better than that week. It will be messy. It's always been messy. The thing I have to do more than correcting failure is reminding people -- and remind myself -- that it's going to get better. And it still won't be perfect, but the only way is forward." As part of our interview, Messersmith explained how Oatly leans on its origin story to differentiate itself from the growing number of oat milk brands coming to market and why focusing on the unnecessary has been a valuable part of its business strategy. Messersmith, a former Navy officer and longtime food and beverage executive, also discussed his approach to leadership and how he defines success. This episode is presented by ZoomEssence, the cool-tech powder flavor people. Show notes: 2:50: Interview: Mike Messersmith, General Manager, Oatly -- Messersmith, who leads Oatly's U.S. operations, sat down with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and BevNET's Jon Landis for a wide-ranging interview recorded in Boston, Mass. Messersmith spoke about the origins of Oatly, its decision to enter the U.S. and why the company is focusing solely on its fluid products stateside. He also discussed his title of "general manager" and what it entails, why he believes that "sometimes the thing that feels completely unnecessary is the most necessary," and why the company hires for needs that are 6-12 months away. Messersmith also explains why Oatly promises to be a good, if not perfect, company, how the brand developed its voice and why optimism has to come from an authentic place. Brands in this episode: Oatly, Chobani

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Marshall and Ravi Kroesen, the CEO and Head Teamaker, respectively, of specialty tea company Smith Teamaker for a discussion exploring how a small company can influence an entire industry. Portland, Ore.-based Smith Teamaker was founded in 2009 by Steven Smith, a legendary figure in the tea world best known as the creator of Tazo. The company is renowned for its expertise in blending and commitment to high quality sourcing, as well as its contribution in defining world standards for the tea industry. In our interview, Marshall and Kroesen discussed how Smith Teamaker has continued to grow based on the principles of "craft, creativity and origin" laid down by its founder, who died in 2015. They also explore how the company has continued to drive innovation despite its relatively small size. "As a small business, we have not only an opportunity but an obligation to push the envelope and to create things that others might not have the ability to do," Marshall said. As part of our conversation, Marshall and Kroesen spoke about their unique career paths to Smith and their roles as stewards of its founder's legacy. The pair also explained why the company is taking a patient approach to growth and why becoming a billion-dollar brand is not in their plans. Show notes: 1:18: The Watertown Cooler -- The hosts chatted about a steady stream of visitors to BevNET HQ over the past week, including those from the founders of Nitro Beverage Co. and Rind Snacks. They also shared their thoughts on a new flask-bottled cocktail mixer brand and recalled a time when BevNET's "product cave" looked very different than it does today. 14:35: Interview: Darren Marshall, CEO & Ravi Kroesen, Head Teamaker, Smith Teamaker -- In an interview recorded at the 2019 Speciality Coffee Association Expo, Marshall and Kroesen discussed their respective career paths to Smith Teamaker, along with the origins of the company and its mission. They also spoke about the current state of the tea industry, how Smith attempts to differentiate itself and why they look "outside the tea world for a lot of inspiration." Later, they explained the company's approach to consumer education and what trends they see as guiding the future of the industry. Brands in this episode: Smith Teamaker, Nitro Beverage Co., Rind Snacks, Food Should Taste Good, Tazo, Proposition Cocktail

Better-for-you booze? It may sound like an oxymoron, but a growing cohort of healthier alcoholic beverages have been finding a receptive audience in recent years. Often promoted as low-calorie, low-carb, or infused functional benefits, these products are resonating with a growing number of consumers focused on health and wellness. That's certainly the case for Boochcraft, a three-year-old hard kombucha brand that has been making waves in its home market of Southern California. In an interview included in this episode, Boochcraft co-founder and CMO Adam Hiner said that while the company originally believed that its consumers would be traditional kombucha drinkers, "we were blown away by the diversity of [people] that we've attracted, some of which have never had kombucha." "It's broadened our scope of the way we can talk about the product and the way we can market it." he said. As part of our conversation, Hiner discussed the origins of the brand and shared his perspective on the trend of healthier drinking. He also spoke about why Boochcraft is resonating with consumers beyond those that are regular kombucha drinkers, the challenges of forecasting demand for a nascent category, and why he sees the company as competing against itself. Show notes: 2:39: Interview: Adam Hiner, Co-Founder/CMO, Boochcraft -- In an interview recorded at Boochcraft's brewing facility and headquarters in San Diego county, Hiner discussed his initial experience with kombucha and why he began to brew and sell it at his restaurant. He also explained why describing Boochcraft as a "high-alcohol kombucha" attracts a broad range of consumers and what product attributes resonate most with its customers. He also discussed how the company forecasts demand for a nascent trend, he and his two co-founders determined their highest value, the sense of urgency to "not get left behind," and why he credits Michelob Ultra for spurring the trend of better-for-you alcoholic beverages. Brands in this episode: Boochcraft, GT's Kombucha, House Beer, Clover Juice, Verve Coffee

Getting into the food business was a "no-brainer" for Patagonia. That's according to Birgit Cameron, the managing director of Patagonia Provisions, the food and beverage arm of the environmentally-focused apparel company. Launched in 2013, the brand markets a variety of responsibly sourced products, including bison jerky, tinned mussels, seeds and even beer. In an interview included in this episode, Cameron explained that "if you think of Patagonia as this overarching environmental company that's been dealing with agriculture for many, many years... food was such a natural progression for us." "Because agriculture as it relates to food is one of the biggest contributors to climate change," she said. "It felt like a natural segue to say, 'we know what we know on the apparel side, what are the other things we can do to really shift the supply chain, shift the thinking around climate issues and agriculture?'" Listen to our full interview with Cameron, who spoke about the origins and development of the brand, opportunities and challenges derived from the brand's alignment with its parent company and why an uncommon innovation strategy is critical to its overarching mission. Show notes: 1:23: San Diego Shandy -- Back at BevNET HQ after a few days on the West Coast, Ray spoke about his visit to San Diego, where he recorded interviews with Mamma Chia founder and CEO Janie Hoffman and Boochcraft co-founder/CMO Adam Hiner (to be featured in Taste Radio Ep. 162). Meanwhile, John, Mike and Jon munched away at some savory snacks sent to the office in recent days and chatted about La Colombe's new Cherry Shandy coffee. 8:35: Interview: Birgit Cameron, Managing Director, Patagonia Provisions -- Cameron met up with BevNET editor in chief Jeff Klineman and NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg at Expo West 2019 where she discussed Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard's initial concept for a food brand and how it was developed. She also spoke about how Patagonia has incubated the Provisions brand and why the company takes a multi-prong approach to its retail strategy. Later Cameron explained why "everything [the brand] makes has a deep reason for being," how Patagonia is attempting to position its food products for broad appeal, and how its work with documentary filmmakers is helping to connect consumers to their food sources. Brands in this episode: Patagonia Provisions, Nick's Sticks, Smart Alex Foods, Mamma Chia, Boochcraft, JuneShine, Babe Kombucha, Seven Cold Brew, La Colombe

As Mamma Chia was sprinting to runaway success, an error in judgment nearly caused its demise. Up until that point, the company's star was on a steady rise. Within a year of its market debut in 2010, its innovative chia-based beverages were distributed in thousands of stores, including nationally at Whole Foods. A few months later, founder Janie Hoffman was highlighted in a widely-read New York Times article about growing consumer demand for chia. Mamma Chia has since evolved into a platform brand that also markets snacks and other foods and is one of the leading brands in the chia space. But when the addition of several new hires threatened to upend the company itself, Hoffman who joined us for an interview included in this episode, was forced to reassess her approach while steering the brand through a potential crisis. "We had gotten to a place where I thought we needed to get to that next step, and I valued experience over cultural fit and [the hires] were absolutely disastrous," Hoffman said. "They really were. It's a miracle the company survived it. That's how damaging those hires were." As part of a wide-ranging conversation, Hoffman spoke about the origins of Mamma Chia and how she created the foundation for its rapid ascent. She also discussed the importance of a supportive professional network and shared a painful lesson about hiring for experience versus cultural fit. Janie also explained her belief that "you can't teach attitude" and why everyday happiness starts with a joyful spirit. Show notes: 2:47: Interview: Janie Hoffman, Founder/CEO, Mamma Chia -- In an interview recorded at Mamma Chia headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., Hoffman spoke about her personal experience with chia and how it led the brand's creation. She also discussed how she evaluated the opportunity for Mamma Chia, why pre-launch market research was critical to her first meeting with Whole Foods and the brand's early development, and how she attracted Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman as an investor and advisor. Later, she explained why hiring experienced professionals who were not fully aligned with the company's mission caused very serious problems and how the current staffing process resulted in a new president of Mamma Chia. Finally, Hoffman discussed industry competition, why she's turned down offers to sell the company and why meditation is key to her "spiritual hygiene." Brands in this episode: Mamma Chia, Honest Tea, Beyond Meat

When assessing funding opportunities for early- and mid-stage companies, First Beverage Group, an investment and advisory firm that works with and invests in brands across the beverage spectrum, has a category-first mindset. First Beverage believes that "the tail winds of a strong category -- no what that dynamic might be -- can always help a business as it's starting to get off the ground early," according to vice president Joe Angiuli, who, along with managing partner Jack Belsito and managing director Bob Nakasone, joined us for an interview included in this episode. That approach has guided the firm as it has made investments in fast-growing brands, including Essentia, Health-Ade Kombucha and Q Drinks. As part of our conversation, the trio spoke about the about the First Beverage's portfolio and investment philosophy and how they evaluate synergies with entrepreneurial brands. They also discussed the current funding environment for the food and beverage industry, which categories might be best suited to weather a potential downturn, and why CBD is not the only cannabis-based ingredient that's caught the attention of First Beverage. Show notes: 1:18: The New Way To 'Gram Your Pepsi Lime — It's a brave new world out there: PepsiCo is putting lime juice in its flagship cola and perfect Instagram posts are a thing of the past. The hosts break it all down in the opening minutes of the episode. 8:39: Jack Belsito, Bob Nakasone & Joe Angiuli, First Beverage Group — In an interview recorded at Expo West 2019, Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Belsito, Nakasone and Angiuli about their backgrounds and roles with First Beverage and discussed how the firm's mission has shaped its portfolio. They also explained why they value entrepreneurs that are "coachable," and why they believe the energy category will continue to grow and evolve. Later, they spoke about the firm's perspective on CBD and THC, what growth stage First Beverage usually invests in a brand and what entrepreneurs shouldn't say in a pitch meeting. Brands in this episode: Pepsi, KeVita, Health-Ade, Essentia, Q Drinks, Project Juice, Repsly, Gem&Bolt, Laws Whisky House, VitaCup

Nearly 20 years ago Jesse Laflamme came home from college to find his family's egg brand, Pete and Gerry's, on the precipice. Consolidation in the egg and retail grocery industries left the company in turmoil and on the verge of bankruptcy. Despite the urging of his parents to consider another career, Laflamme, now the CEO of Pete and Gerry's, was committed to the brand and solving its problems. Over the past two decades, Laflamme has led a turnaround that's seen the company grow from a struggling business into one of the country's leading egg brands, pulling in over $200 million in sales in 2018. In an interview included in this episode, Laflamme spoke about how Pete and Gerry's not only got back on its feet, but excelled beyond anyone's expectations. Show notes: 2:44: Interview: Jesse Laflamme, CEO, Pete and Gerry's -- Laflamme traveled from New Hampshire to BevNET HQ for an interview that explored the highs and lows of his 20-year career at Pete and Gerry's, his family's egg farming business. Laflamme discussed how consolidation in the egg industry negatively affected small farms, including his family's, and detailed the stark differences between conventional egg producers and that of small and organic ones. He also spoke about why Pete and Gerry's shift to organic production was a "Hail Mary" that helped save the company and how the move helped win over some mainstream grocery chains. Later he discussed how he learned on the job as CEO, why never being complacent was key to the company growth, and why he undertook a major change in the company's business strategy by partnering with organic egg farm across the country. Laflamme also spoke about surrounding himself with experienced and talented operations and marketing professionals gave the company a foundation for rapid growth and why he is vehemently fighting a PETA-supported lawsuit that alleges the company does not treat its hens as well as advertised. Brands in this episode: Pete and Gerry's, Carol's Eggs, Nellie's

You might have put time, money, blood, sweat and tears into building your brand, but at the end of the day it doesn't belong to you. That's the perspective of Christian Krogstad and Thomas Mooney, the co-founders of Westward Whiskey, which helped establish the rapidly growing American single-malt whiskey category. As part of a wide-ranging conversation included in this episode, Krogstad and Mooney explained that consumers, via their palates and wallets, are Westward's true owners. "We share a belief that it's Westward, not either of us, that should be famous," Mooney said. "And that we want our whiskey to do the talking. Ultimately, brands belong to the people who enjoy them, not to the people who make the products." Originally founded as House Spirits Distillery in 2004, Westward was one of several brands in a broad portfolio that included Aviation Gin -- since acquired by actor Ryan Reynolds -- and others. Following an investment from Distill Ventures, the venture capital arm of beer and spirits conglomerate Diageo, in 2018, the Portland, Ore.-based company shifted its primary focus to Westward, a single-malt whiskey that draws inspiration from Oregon's deep-rooted craft beer culture. As part of our conversation, Krogstad and Mooney spoke about Westward's origins and explained why it was important for them to develop a personal relationship prior to formalizing their professional one. They also discussed the company's alignment with Distill Ventures and how they determined it was the right partner, what the notion of a "better whiskey" means to them and why compelling innovation means giving people something they "never realized they wanted." Show notes: 1:46: John at Kon, DragNet & a Whole Lotta Protein -- John and Mike returned to the studio after a week away from the office and discussed their trips to L.A. and Vermont, respectively. John also spoke about his experience at KombuchaKon, an annual trade show focused on the business of kombucha, where he presented on a panel and sampled a wide variety of products, including one from Iceland. He also explained the concern among KombuchaKon attendees in how some brands are marketing and promoting their products. Later, the hosts bantered about the development of the market for CBD in L.A. and chatted about a few notable products that came into the office over the past week. 19:25: Christian Krogstad/Thomas Mooney, Co-Founders, Westward Whiskey -- Krogstad and Mooney joined Taste Radio editor Ray Latif for an interview recorded at the Westward Whiskey distillery in Portland, Ore. Krogstad spoke about his background in craft brewing and how it led to him to launch a distillery and Mooney discussed how his experience with CPG conglomerates provided him with both a foundation and thirst for entrepreneurship. Later, they explained why partnership with a strategic investor has long been part of the company's business strategy and how they developed a relationship with Distill Ventures long before its investment in Westward. They also spoke about Westward's "beer-philic" approach to distilling and why a limited marketing budget means that they "can never be complacent in product development." Brands in this episode: Nutty Steph's, Alchemist Beer, Kombucha Iceland, GT's Living Foods, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Humm Kombucha, Boochcraft, Dosist, Cha Cha Matcha, Smashpack, Muscle Milk, OWYN, Smarties, Protes, Lemon Perfect, Westward Whiskey, McMenamins, Fiji Water

It's remarkable to hear John Bello's current take on SoBe, the lifestyle beverage brand that he co-founded and sold to PepsiCo for nearly $400 million. Already an accomplished marketing executive when he launched the brand in 1996, Bello helped shape SoBe's healthy halo and exotic vibe by infusing its drinks with trendy functional ingredients like ginseng and ginkgo biloba. However, he admits that SoBe was essentially "sugar water" packaged and designed to give consumers what they believed to be a healthier option. "There was a user base that liked the fact that there was ginseng, ginkgo and guarana in it," he said. "And almost every week on every lifestyle show they would be talking about something new that could make you stronger, smarter, skinnier and sexier, and that's what we promoted. The reality was, we were sugar water. We had a user base that really felt that what they were drinking was better than the alternatives." Bello's admission is part of an intriguing conversation included in this episode. In it, he expounded upon the development of SoBe, including early missteps and why coming of age during an era of "healthy hedonism" turned it into a top-seller. He also chronicled his long career as a business executive and entrepreneur, which began with an ROTC scholarship and a tour of duty in the Vietnam War and included roles with General Foods and the NFL. Bello also explained why he accepted an offer to become chairman of Reed's, a ginger-centric brand of craft sodas, and how he views its products as providing the kind of functional benefits that SoBe lacked. Show notes: 2:42: Interview: John Bello, Co-Founder, SoBe/Chairman, Reed's -- In an interview recorded at Reed's headquarters in Norwalk, Conn., Bello recounted how his experience in the Navy provided a foundation for his business career and how he earned the nickname "Merchant of the Mekong Delta" during the Vietnam War. He also explained why working on the Sanka brand while at General Foods was his "first exposure to wellness," and what he learned about branding and distribution while at PepsiCo. Later, he spoke about his experience as the vice president of marketing for NFL Properties and how it gave him his first taste of entrepreneurship and how a stint at AriZona paved the way for SoBe's marketing strategy. He also explained why the initial concept for SoBe failed and how the brand's embrace of "healthy hedonism" and timely distribution opportunities gave it a runway for success. Finally, he spoke about why he joined Reed's and why he views its ginger beer brand as potentially filling a void in major beverage portfolios. Brands in this episode: SoBe, Reed's, Maxwell House, Sanka, AriZona, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Hint, LaCroix, Goslings, Cock'n Bull, Fever-Tree, Bundaberg, BodyArmor

August Vega is a "go big or go home" kind of entrepreneur. The founder and CEO of MALK, a super-premium brand of organic nut milks, Vega cut her teeth in the beverage business selling her wares at farmers markets in Houston. From the outset, Vega had lofty ambitions: she wanted to develop MALK into a billion-dollar brand. "I believe that we are in control of our own destiny, and why shoot for a low bar?" she said in an interview included in this episode. "It is a high bar… but we're seeing a pretty big evolution in the plant-based space, not just from a dairy perspective, but in meats -- it's everywhere. And I think there's potential." Since launching the brand in 2014, Vega has maintained that focus and made strides toward her goal. MALK is sold nationally at Whole Foods and carried at a variety of mainstream grocers and mass retailers, including HEB and Target. In an interview included in this episode, Vega spoke about the origins of MALK and why she envisioned it as a billion-dollar brand from the outset. She also explained why data has been critical to the company's development and the variety of ways it sources sales information and consumer feedback. Vega also discussed how MALK considers innovation and investment and talked about how she navigated the company through a particularly challenging period. Show notes: 1:09: Steeped in Specialty Coffee -- The hosts kicked off the episode with a discussion about innovative and interesting coffee brands featured at the recently held Specialty Coffee Association Expo. Among notable brands viewed at the annual trade show, hosted in Boston from April 11-14, were Steeped, a maker of bagged coffee grounds, and Elemental Beverage Co., a manufacturer of commercial appliances that chill fresh-brewed coffee in 60 seconds. The hosts also chatted about the latest issue of BevNET Magazine, which includes feature articles on the premium water category, powder beverages and craft beer as well as a comprehensive listing of functional beverages marketed in the U.S. 14:59: Interview: August Vega, Founder/CEO, MALK -- Recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2019, Vega spoke about the coincidental ties between MALK and a fictional brand featured in "The Simpsons" and how dairy allergies in her family and dissatisfaction with nut milk brands led her to create MALK. She also explained why MALK doesn't use the word "milk" on packaging or marketing, why data drives much of its business and innovation strategy and why Boulder Food Group is the right investment partner for the company. Later, she discussed the controversy surrounding MALK's use of high pressure processing as a safety step and how she addressed concerns about the products, and what she views at the near future for the brand. Brands in this episode: MALK, Steeped Coffee, Sudden Coffee, Blume, Roasterie, Atomic Coffee Roasters, Izzy CBD, Elemental Beverage Co., Essentia, Core, C4

According to Joe Heron, ignorance is underrated. A serial beverage entrepreneur on his third startup, Heron joined us for an interview included in this episode, in which he expressed his belief that "the number one characteristic of an entrepreneur is stupidity... because you manage the opportunity, you don't manage the risk." Having founded and successfully sold functional drink brand Nutrisoda and Crispin, a brand of premium hard ciders, Heron is now at the helm of Copper & Kings, a brandy-centric distillery based in Louisville, Ky. Prior to launching Copper & Kings in 2014, Heron had no prior experience in the distilled spirits industry, and, as he would learn, the process of starting a new distillery is notoriously difficult and expensive. Nevertheless, Heron couldn't pass up an opportunity to fill what he identified as a gap in the market for high quality American brandy. "For entrepreneurs, it becomes a compelling challenge of making the idea real," he said. "When you look at brandy, an enormous category, and the fact that was no American brandy, that felt like a really big idea." As part of our conversation, Heron spoke about his career as a brand creator beginning with Nutrisoda in 2002 through to the launch of Copper & Kings in 2014. Heron also explained why he views entrepreneurship as an art form and an outlet for creative expression, how he identified cider and brandy as two beverage categories that were ripe for innovation, what he took into consideration when selling Crispin to MillerCoors and why he decided to sell a minority stake in Copper & Kings to beverage alcohol conglomerate Constellation Brands. Show notes: 2:50: Interview: Joe Heron, Founder/CEO, Copper & Kings -- In an interview recorded via weblink, Heron spoke with BevNET CEO John Craven and Taste Radio producer Ray Latif about his path to entrepreneurship and what motivated him to launch Nutrisoda, a functional beverage brand that was acquired by PepsiCo in 2006. He also explained how a British trend of hard cider served over ice led him to create Crispin and why the company's focus on marketing and innovation helped it to stand out among competitors. Later, he spoke about the sale of Crispin to beer giant MillerCoors and discussed his belief that "it's better to be fast and messy than slow and late." He also explained why it's important for the company to "behave like an incumbent, not a challenger" and why he views distilled spirits giant Constellation, which holds a minority stake in Copper & Kings as "essentially as startup masquerading as a giant corporation." Brands in this episode: Nutrisoda, Vitaminwater, SoBe, Crispin Cider, Copper & Kings

As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." When evaluating investment opportunities, Chris Hollod, a venture capitalist focused on early-stage consumer brands, takes the adage to heart. "I tell every brand: 'I judge you within the first two seconds of looking at your Instagram page,'" he said in an interview included in this episode. "I think it's the most important piece of the puzzle aside from the actual packaging itself." That perspective has helped shape Hollod's portfolio, which includes stakes in a number of lifestyle brands, including Matchabar, Dirty Lemon, Know Foods and Recess, among others. Listen to our full interview with Hollod, who spoke in depth about his investment philosophy, how he identifies bleeding edge trends and categories, and what an examination of "signal to noise ratio" can reveal about a brand's prospects. Show notes: 1:28: Receptors, Randy's and Roscoe's -- Early into the episode, Mike pops some CBD mints to (hopefully) address a few ailments, and the hosts discuss the difference between early-stage venture capitalists and angel investors. Later, they imbibe on some non-alcoholic beer from London (it's pretty tasty stuff) and chat about why it makes sense for successful and sometimes wealthy entrepreneurs to seek outside capital for a new company. Last, but not least, Ray expresses his love/hate relationship with donuts. 14:14: Interview: Chris Hollod, Founder/Managing Partner, Hollod Holdings -- In an interview recorded in Los Angeles, BevNET's John Craven and Mike Schneider spoke with Hollod about his background and investment philosophy and why digital strategy is at the top of his list when evaluating brands. He also explained why he believes that his job requires him to not only to follow and facilitate innovation but to predict it. Brands in this episode: Pur 7, Lucent Botanicals, Black Medicine Coffee, Infinite Session, O' Doul's, Founder's Brewing, Spudsy, Buff Bake, Kane's Donuts, Union Square Donuts, Voodoo Doughnut, Dunkin, Randy's Donuts, Roscoe's, Recess, Dirty Lemon, Matchabar, Know Foods, JuneShine, Blue Bottle Coffee, Four Sigmatic, Tenzo Tea, MUD\WTR, Verb Energy

A serial entrepreneur who started working for himself at age 12, Mark Sisson, has launched dozens of businesses over the course of his career. Last year, he finally hit the jackpot. Sisson is the founder of Primal Kitchen, a Paleo-centric brand of condiments and dressings that he founded in 2015. Primal Kitchen has been his biggest success as an entrepreneur; last year Kraft Heinz acquired the brand for $200 million. Although Primal Kitchen was on the market for just over three years when it was acquired, the brand, which was born out of Sisson's popular blog, was decades in the making. In an interview included in this episode, Sisson spoke about his background as an entrepreneur and how his experience in direct-to-consumer sales paved the way for his blog and help lay the foundation for Primal Kitchen. Sisson also discussed effective techniques for communicating with modern consumers and why he views Kraft Heinz as the perfect partner. Show notes: 2:36: Interview: Mark Sisson, Founder, Primal Kitchen -- In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2019, Sisson spoke with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg about the variety of business he founded early in his career and why he launched his blog, Mark's Daily Apple, in 2006. He also explained why the blog became so influential within the health and wellness community and how it provided Primal Kitchen with a smooth path to Whole Foods. Sisson also discussed the competitive landscape for Paleo foods and how Primal Kitchen is attempting to separate itself from the pack. Finally, he offered his perspective on the evolution of the food industry and why synergies from the Kraft Heinz deal will be a boon for both companies. Brands in this episode: Primal Kitchen, Soylent

In this episode, we examine brand-building and retail strategies for center store grocery in interviews with the founders of two category-leading brands: Katlin Smith, the founder and CEO of fast-growing baking mix brand Simple Mills, and David Eben, the founder of Carrington Farms, a leading brand of organic seeds, grains and oils. Smith is the founder and CEO of Simple Mills, a brand of natural baking mixes, crackers and cookies, that she launched in 2013. Over the past six years, Simple Mills has become one of the leading natural brands in the spaces in which it plays. Its products are distributed in over 13,000 conventional and natural grocery stores including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Kroger and Safeway. Smith was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2017 and based on what you'll hear in our interview, it's easy to understand why. Smith spoke about the origins of Simple Mills, how she assessed the opportunity for a better-for-you baking mix brand, what her first year was like and her definition of entrepreneurial commitment. Carrington Farms, a leading brand of organic seeds and cooking ingredients, actually started out as a tea company. Founder and CEO David Eben discussed the brand's evolution and how its portfolio has grown over the years. Entrepreneurs would be advised to take note of David's advice on working with retail buyers and why it has been and continues to be a key part of the company's business and innovation strategies. Show notes: 1:34: New Kids on the Block -- The hosts chatted about new team members at BevNET HQ including those in marketing, sales and with our NOSH vertical. They also riffed on a bunch of new products sent to the office this week and how some are advancing the categories that they participate in. 16:51: Interview: Katlin Smith, Founder/CEO, Simple Mills -- In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2019, Smith spoke with BevNET CMO Mike Schneider about her background in management consulting and how it played into the development of Simple Mills. She also discussed the day-to-day grind of her first year in business and how she stayed motivated, how she learned to most effectively present and communicate to investors, retailers and consumers and explained why leadership is about being "willing to change." 34:09: Interview: David Eben, Founder/CEO, Carrington Farms -- Also recorded at Expo West 2019, Eben spoke with Taste Radio Editor/Producer Ray Latif about Carrington Farms' evolution from a tea manufacturer to a stable brand for natural and organic ingredients. Eben also discussed the importance of retail buyer relationship, why product development is an "up and down" process that involves both suppliers and retailers, how a crispy quinoa puff was reborn as a crouton, and how to stay relevant with consumers. Finally, he spoke about the company's charitable arm, Carrington Cares. Brands in this episode: Nick's Sticks, Vital Proteins, Spudsy, Recipe 33, Pizootz, Ugly Drinks, Banzo Bites, Rachel's Overnight Oats, Simple Mills, Carrington Farms

David Bronner, the Cosmic Engagement Officer of Dr. Bronner's, wants to save the world. How, one might ask, does he plan on doing that? Simple. A lot of soap and a dash of psychedelics. Since Bronner took the reins of his family's business in 1998, Dr. Bronner's has become the top-selling brand of natural soaps in North America. The company, which also markets natural toothpaste, lip balm, shaving cream and coconut oil, generated $122 million in sales in 2018, over 30 times its revenue when Bronner took over. Dr. Bronner's, which was founded as a non-profit, religious organization dedicated to world peace, has used that growth to fuel its advocacy for social and environmental causes. The company has donated tens of millions of dollars into efforts supporting GMO transparency, the integration of cannabis and psychedelic drugs into American medicine, and regenerative organic agriculture. As part of a wide-ranging interview included in this episode, Bronner spoke about his roots with the natural soap company and how his advocacy for hemp contributed to the evolution of the brand. He also explained why he supports the use of psychedelics within the context of the company's philanthropic strategy, discussed what makes Dr. Bronner's concept of corporate responsibility different, and how it is preserving its legacy. Show notes: 3:45: Interview: David Bronner, CEO, Dr. Bronner's -- In an interview recorded at natural products Expo West 2019, Bronner spoke about the company's origins in Southern California and how his experience as a Harvard student helped shape his personal belief system. He also discussed how his advocacy for hemp cultivation included being caged in front of the White House and planting hemp seeds on the DEA's lawn, his work with Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and why he believes psychedelics are the "last gift of the counterculture that hasn't been integrated" into the mainstream. Later, he spoke about the company's work in regenerative organic agriculture and why it's so important for companies to vet their supply chains. Finally, he discussed why the company has adopted a benefit corporation structure and how it is laying the foundation for the next generation of managers and executives. Brands in this episode: Dr. Bronner's, Patagonia, Guayaki, Nature's Path, Honest Tea, Annie's

Bend, the small, yet fast-growing city in Central Oregon, has become a haven for entrepreneurship. Although the local economy had been driven by the lumber industry for over a century, Bend has in recent years seen an influx of innovative companies -- from tech to food and beverage -- launched within its borders. According the office of Oregon's Secretary of State, Bend registers more new businesses each year than any other city in the state. Entrepreneurs often point to the Bend lifestyle, which is steeped in outdoor sports, snow activities and craft beer, as part of the city's appeal and why a variety of business and consumer publications have ranked Bend as one of the best small cities to live and work in the U.S. In a recent visit to Bend, we met with a few of its food and beverage entrepreneurs and community leaders to learn more about the reasons behind its emergence as a business capital on the West Coast. Note: a few of our interviews were re-recorded via phone due to an unfortunate loss of the original audio, hence a slight variation in sound quality. Show notes: 1:24: Sweetening You Up With... Shots? -- The hosts tested out a product called Nature's Wild Berry, which claims to make "anything sour, tart or acidic taste extremely sweet" after chewing on it 30 seconds. They also discussed the deluge of new functional shots coming to market and what brands are doing to stand out. 10:34: The Business of Bend -- We explored the city's evolution as a hub for entrepreneurship in a series of interviews with founders of several Bend-based food and beverage companies, including Picky Bars, Humm Kombucha, Riff Cold Brewed, Deschutes Brewery and Jem Organics. Brands in this episode: Vital Proteins, Fermenting Fairy, Bibi Beverages, BrainGear, Sol-ti, Vybes, Picky Bars, Humm Kombucha, Riff Cold Brewed, Deschutes Brewery, Jem Organics

As the saying goes: if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what if life gave you 800 million pounds of ugly, but perfectly edible watermelons? If you're Jody Levy, you make WTRMLN WTR, a brand of cold-pressed watermelon juice beverages. A serial entrepreneur and design expert, Levy has overseen the evolution of WTRMLN WTR from a single product to a platform brand whose products are available at over 25,000 locations nationwide. Leading with a mission of sustainability and natural hydration, WTRMLN WTR has attracted funding from prominent investors from within the beverage industry as well as from a number of celebrities, including NBA star Chris Paul and music icon Beyoncé, who praised the company's desire to "deliver accessible wellness to the world." In the following interview, Levy spoke about her background in branding and design and how it fueled the creation of WTRMLN WTR. She also discussed how ignorance can be an asset as a beverage entrepreneur, why it's important to admit what you're not good at and what you love to do, and why she describes her career as a "journey of synchronicity." Show notes: 2:38: Interview: Jody Levy, Co-Founder, WTRMLN WTR -- In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2019, Levy spoke about the importance of her family nurturing her artistic spirit and the role it continues to play throughout her life. She also discussed the important mentors and influential artists, including the Eames brothers and Buckminster Fuller, who helped shape her perspective in creating WTRMLN WTR. She also explained why "running a beverage company is like getting hit in the face by a 2x4 every day," why connecting with investors on a personal level led to deals with Rohan Oza and Beyoncé and what battling Lyme disease taught her about work-life balance. Brands in this episode: WTRMLN WTR

This episode features interviews with two entrepreneurs that are advancing the conversation for cannabis-infused food and beverage brands: Jonathan Eppers, founder and CEO of Vybes, and Kristy Knoblick Palmer,co-founder and COO of Kiva Confections. A tech executive-turned-beverage entrepreneur, Eppers joined us for a discussion about the launch and development of Vybes, a CBD-infused water brand that leads with the tagline "Mind + Body Function." Eppers discussed why he's embraced CBD, why "borrowing brand equity" has been key to Vybes' marketing strategy and what's in store for 2019. Our interview with Palmer focuses on her budding business of Kiva Confections, a maker of cannabis-infused chocolates, mints and gummies. Launched in 2010, Kiva products are sold at cannabis dispensaries in five states, including its home market of California. In our interview, she spoke about the Kiva's origins, its branding strategy, how the company differentiates its products and how it drives trial. She also discussed the evolution of the cannabis industry and the mainstreaming of cannabis products, while also offering advice to entrepreneurs looking to break into the space. Show notes: 1:34: WTF is Smoobucha? -- The hosts riffed on a bunch of new products sent to the office over the past week, including Odwalla's new smoothie and kombucha blend, and how food and beverage brands are attempting to educate consumers about responsible use of cannabis-infused products. 11:14: Interview: Jonathan Eppers, Founder/CEO, Vybes -- In an interview recorded in West Hollywood, BevNET's Mike Schneider and John Craven spoke with Eppers about his career prior to the launch of Vybes, which included work with eHarmony and Google and the launch of a startup called RadPad. He also discussed Vybes' branding and marketing strategy, the company's thoughtful approach to distribution, and offered his take on isolate vs. full spectrum CBD. 27:10: Interview: Kristi Knoblich Palmer, Co-Founder/COO, Kiva Confections -- Palmer sat down with BevNET's Mike Schneider and Jeff Klineman at Natural Products Expo West 2019 for a conversation about Kiva and its development as one of the leading THC-infused food brands. Palmer spoke about Kiva's mission to offer consumers a better edible experience, the rapid growth of the cannabis industry, how the company infuses its core values into packaging and why she believes that food will help expand opportunities for THC consumption. She also discussed effect-based marketing, why "budtenders" often guide consumer decisions, and made a prediction about federal legalization of cannabis. Brands in this episode: Vybes, Kiva Confections, Odwalla, WTRMLN WTR, Banzo Bites, Smari, Klackers, Kiito, Lumen

Kodiak Cakes CEO Joel Clark will be the first to admit that entrepreneurship isn't a part-time job. For years, he tried to run the pancake mix brand, which launched in 1995 and is based on a family recipe, as a side-business while pursuing a graduate degree and consulting career. There were struggles, late nights and more than a few headaches, mistakes and missed opportunities. Despite the challenges, Kodiak Cakes earned a loyal consumer following and a steady streak of retail wins. Clark, however, knew that the brand couldn't tread water forever. For Kodiak Cakes to truly succeed, he'd have to be all in. His commitment helped turn a tiny business selling products to a handful of mom-and-pop shops into the top-selling category brand at Target, one that eclipsed $100 million in sales last year. In an interview included in this episode, Clark spoke about his journey and how perseverance, innovation and swimming in the "Shark Tank" played into the evolution and success of Kodiak Cakes. Show notes: 2:38: Interview: Joel Clark, CEO, Kodiak Cakes -- We sat down with Clark for an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2019, where Kodiak Cakes was launching a new line of protein-infused graham crackers. As part of a wide-ranging conversation, Clark spoke about the origins of Kodiak Cakes and its early years spent bootstrapping. He also discussed how the brand landed its first major retail partner, how he operated Kodiak Cakes and supported himself during lean years and why he was always thinking about a backup plan. He also explained how the company's first hire eventually became its president, how to empower employees and why innovation means more than developing new products. Later he spoke about how the brand's flagship offering came to being, the impact of appearing on "Shark Tank" and the decision to partner with a venture capital firm. Brands in this episode: Kodiak Cakes

If you want to get the attention of Boulder Food Group (BFG), a venture capital firm that recently launched a new $100 million fund, having a memorable package design is a good way to start. Launched in 2014 by industry veterans Tom Spier and Dayton Miller, BFG has made early-stage investments in several innovative and socially conscious food and beverage brands, including Chameleon Cold-Brew, Caulipower, Birch Benders and MALK. In an interview included in this episode of Taste Radio, Spier explained why visual appeal is a key factor in BFG's investment criteria and paramount to the success of young brands. "If you can deliver the right visual representation -- and then also the taste and the price -- you can steal a disproportionate amount of category share with that combination," Spier said. "But if you're lacking the visual appeal, that gets to be a lot more difficult. So we really do try to identify brands that really are beautiful, unique, memorable -- brands that are going to get a consumer to stop in a store, take a look, pick it up and, hopefully, buy it." Also in our interview, Spier and Miller discussed their backgrounds in food and beverage, how BFG curates its portfolio and what they view as the value-added nature of the firm. They also spoke about why BFG likes "to scale into [its] investments" and shared their perspective on innovative concepts and what brands need to bring to the table in an investor meeting. Show notes: 1:40: Post-Show, Now Is The Time for More Expo-sure -- The hosts reflected on Expo West 2019, and discussed the importance of brands to maintain momentum from the show, particularly if they launched new products at the event. Also: Mike re-enacted a spicy adventure and spoke about a couple new cascara products featured at Expo West. 10:03: Interview: Tom Spier & Dayton Miller, Managing Partners, Boulder Food Group --- As part of our interview, recorded at Expo West 2019, Spier and Miller spoke about Boulder Food Group's investment philosophy and how it evaluates and identifies synergies with entrepreneurial brands. They also discussed the environment for food and beverage investment and how it has evolved in recent years, and the data that can make or break an investor pitch. Brands in this episode: Fire Cider, Fermenting Fairy, Riff Cold Brewed, Up to Good, Chameleon Cold-Brew, Olipop, MALK, CAULIPOWER, 4th and Heart, Birch Benders

Show of hands — if you sold your company for $286 million, would you go back to work for the new owner? We're guessing there's not many arms raised. For Justin Gold, however, leaving the company he founded in 2004 after it was acquired by Hormel Foods in 2016 was never an option. Justin's, a pioneering brand of better-for-you nut butters and snacks, is not just his namesake — it's his legacy and one that continues to grow. "The brand stands for something," he said in an interview included in this episode. "It has values. It has personality. It has charisma. But those values all hinge on me. And if I'm there, it really drives the connection back to the consumer, back to the retailer, back to the broker, back to the person -- and that's really important. It gives the brand a life outside of just a product." In our interview, Gold spoke about his decision to stay with Justin's after the Hormel acquisition. He also discussed the brand's evolution and how a new take on a familiar snack and a key hire were game-changers for Justin's. Gold also explained his belief that making a lot of money and having a mission to change the world are not mutually exclusive. Show notes: 2:34: Interview: Justin Gold, Founder, Justin's -- In our interview, recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2019, Gold spoke about his current role with the company following its acquisition by Hormel Foods, and his why he's "still the heart of the organization." He also explained his perspective that Justin's was a "10-year overnight success," the decision to align with Hormel, and what he views as the keys to innovation and improving the food system. Gold also discussed the growth of the brand following the hire of Peter Burns as CEO and what he learned from the longtime industry executive, and finally, how he hopes consumers perceive Justin's. Brands in this episode: Justin's, Reese's, Hormel Foods

Just three and a half months since its debut, Recess, a sparkling water brand infused with CBD and adaptogens, has generated an incredible amount of buzz. Profiled in mainstream media outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes and CNBC, Recess has been dubbed the "LaCroix of CBD" and within days of its launch the products were backordered for weeks. So what's behind the hype? In an interview included in this episode, Recess founder/CEO Benjamin Witte spoke about the brand's creation and how he set it up for a fast start. He also discussed the company's long-term mission, why Recess is marketing a solution rather than an ingredient, and why he believes the best way to succeed as a beverage company is not to think like one. Show notes: 1:36: A Sea of CBD (and Investors) at Expo West -- On location in Anaheim for Natural Products Expo West 2019, the hosts discussed a significant shift in how entrepreneurs and investors interact at the annual trade show. They also spoke about new CBD products exhibited at the annual trade show and confusion about how the ingredient is promoted. They also riff on a few notable food and beverage brands featured on day one of Expo West. 21:44: Interview: Benjamin Witte, Founder/CEO, Recess -- In an interview recorded Recess's office in New York City, Witte spoke about his relationship with CBD and how it got him into the beverage business. He also discussed why he views Recess as a "recreational wellness brand" and plans to expand with digital and physical versions. He also explained why he believes that today, "brands are built on your phone," how Recess "designs feelings" and the lessons from the brand' pop-up show in Manhattan. Brands in this episode: Recess, Wilde Brands, Revive Kombucha, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Rowdy Mermaid, Olipop, Wonder Drink, Humm Kombucha, Hella Cocktail Co., The Maple Guild, Sunwink, Waku, Goldthread, Fatworks, Q Soo, Sol Cuisine, Shrooms, Pan's Mushroom Jerky, Kitu, Spudsy, Riff Cold Brewed, Red Bull, Monster Energy, Rockstar Energy

When it launched in 2013, Boxed, an online retailer of bulk goods, had all the hallmarks of a tech startup. Audacious idea? Check. Parents' garage as the company office? Check. Low probability of success? Check. Unlike many startups, however, Boxed has thrived since its debut. The company, dubbed the "Costco for millennials," reached $100 million in sales in 2016 and has attracted interest from a variety of investors, who've injected over $243 million into the business. Last year Kroger reportedly made an offer to buy Boxed for a half-billion dollars. So how has Boxed, which is less than six years old, achieved this position? We recently sat down with the company's co-founder and CEO Chieh Huang to get the answers. In our conversation, he spoke about his background and why the acquisitions of Whole Foods and Jet.com were critical to the development of the company. He also discussed the evolution of mobile commerce, the importance of user experience and customer service, and how Boxed curates its product assortment and utilizes consumer data. And in one of the most notable moments of our conversation, Huang explained why he believes the future of online food shopping "will feel like Netflix." Show notes: 2:42: Interview: Chieh Huang, Co-Founder/CEO, Boxed -- In an interview recorded at Boxed headquarters in New York City, Huang discussed the company's origins and why its current office may look familiar to those in the tech community. He also explained why bulk retailing makes sense from an economic standpoint, why Boxed only carries 1,600 items, and the consumer- business-driven reasons behind the growth of online shopping. Huang also spoke about his unorthodox interviewing process, why he doesn't view co-workers as "family," and how he defines success. Brands in this episode: Smartwater

Over the course of his career, Ryan Lewendon, a partner with influential CPG law firm The Giannuzzi Group, has worked with hundreds of CPG brands, including Vitaminwater, Krave Jerky, Vita Coco and BodyArmor. His experience has provided him with a window into how successful entrepreneurs think and operate. In an interview included in this episode, Lewendon offered his perspective on the elements of a winning brand and what it takes to succeed. As part of our conversation, he discussed how to avoid some of the early mistakes that can haunt entrepreneurs down the line and the keys to effective networking, plus tips on considering the valuation of your company and working with celebrities. He also shared why he believes next year may be the wrong time to launch a food or beverage company. Also in this episode: BevNET's Martín Caballero and Brad Avery take us inside the latest issue of BevNET Magazine, which includes feature stories on the coffee category, flavors and functional ingredients and the spirits industry. Show notes: 1:44: From NYC to Cabo to Expo West: The hosts chat about Ray's recent visit to NYC, where he recorded several podcast interviews, including with Fever-Tree North America CEO Charles Gibb and Boxed co-founder/CEO Chieh Huang and made a visit to Recess IRL, an experiential pop-up shop launched by the CBD-infused sparkling water brand. Later on, John Craven spoke about his visit to BevNET's San Diego office and meeting with a couple hard kombucha entrepreneurs. The hosts also encouraged attendees of the upcoming Natural Products Expo West 2019 to follow @bevnet, @noshdotcom and @bevnettasteradio for pics of new products and brands featured at the event. 15:09: Interview: Ryan Lewendon, Partner, The Giannuzzi Group -- Lewendon has been with the firm since its inception in 2010, and has helped hundreds of companies navigate growth at every stage of their development, and advised entrepreneurs from initial launch through to a multi-million dollar exit. In a wide-ranging interview recorded at The Giannuzzi Group office in Manhattan, Lewendon discussed his background in the food and beverage industry and why the firm's "business model is to get fired every year." He also offered his perspective on why networking is all about building relationships, the dangers of treating equity "as too much of a currency," why there's no magic formula for valuations of small companies, how to approach celebrities about getting involved with your brand and why he thinks that if you're thinking about starting a food or beverage company, you should not wait till 2020. 43:11: Inside The Latest Issue of BevNET Magazine -- Published last week, the January/February 2019 issue of BevNET Magazine includes articles penned by BevNET's Martín Caballero and Brad Avery, who shared insights and additional analysis about the content. Brands in this episode: Recess, Fever-Tree, Junshine, Novo Brazil, Boochcraft, Luna Bay Kombucha, RightRice, Banza, BodyArmor, Calidad Beer, Alfred Coffee & Tea, Once Upon a Farm, Foodstirs

Fever-Tree North America CEO Charles Gibb describes himself as "globally mobile," and, based on his resume, that's an apt description. Although he's lived and worked in New York for nearly a decade, his career in the spirits industry has included executive-level roles based in cities across Europe and Australia. In an interview included in this episode, Gibb said that the experience has helped shape his leadership of Fever-Tree North America, the U.S.-based subsidiary of the super-premium mixer brand. "When you live in a country, you really understand what drives [and] motivates the people," he said. "You appreciate the cultural diversity, the differences, and you get newfound respect for people and the way they live their lives." As part of our wide-ranging interview, Gibb spoke about his work in the spirits business leading up to Fever-Tree, including a high-profile role as the President and CEO of Belvedere Vodka. He also discussed how his experience in British Army taught him about the importance of communication and humor, spoke about the evolution of the global market for spirits and mixers and why he believes that Fever-Tree can be a brand for all consumers. Show notes: 2:43: Charles Gibb, CEO, Fever-Tree North America -- Gibb helms Fever-Tree's American outpost, which opened its doors in 2018 and has rapidly paid dividends for the company. According to Fever-Tree, U.S. sales grew by 21 percent year-over-year since the new office opened. In this interview, Gibb discussed the development and growth of the subsidiary and the opportunity for premium mixers in the U.S. He also spoke about how his prior experience in the spirits business prepared him for the role and recalls how his experience as an officer in the British Army and perspective from living in cities around the world have molded his leadership style. Sidenote: Gibb explained what a "prat" is and why you wouldn't want to be described as one. Brands in this episode: Fever-Tree, Belvedere Vodka, Hennessy