The Good Food CFO podcast

What started as a way to sell some extra pumpkins out of a garage, Vincent Finazzo has turned Riverwards Produce Market into a community staple that is creating a better experience for his shoppers, his team, and the food industry at large. A Goldman Sachs 10K Scholar, Vincent earned Best of Philly honors from Philadelphia Magazine in 2022, while also being named a Local Hero by Edible Philly in 2017. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Columbia College in Chicago. Vincent founded Riverwards Produce Market, a Philadelphia small business grocery store which opened in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood in 2016. In this episode, Vincent joins Sarah to discuss the decisions he’s made along the way as he grew Riverwards into what is now two locations with over 75 employees. Vincent shares: How he transitioned from the art world to running a retail business The thought process behind the wage and benefits he provides his team His approach to sourcing for Riverwards Produce Market His unique take on grocery categories And so much more By the end of this episode, you will see how Vincent is truly disrupting the food industry through grocery. Connect with Vincent Website: Riverwards Produce Instagram: @riverwardsproduce Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Tyler Dawley is a guy who has lived in one spot his entire life. That spot is Big Bluff Ranch, the family ranch. Since he was a kid, driving the ranch truck looking through (not over) the steering wheel, he has found purpose and passion working with the land and animals. Starting in 2000, he has been driving innovations on the ranch. Trying everything from farmer's markets to grass-fed beef to pasture poultry to direct marketing. Currently, Big Bluff Ranch is one of the largest producers of organic, pasture raised, no corn/soy chicken on the west coast. In this episode, Tyler is joining Sarah to discuss all that he’s learned about running a commercial ranch over the years, and how he envisions the future of agriculture at large. You’ll hear: The history of Big Bluff Ranch, and how they got to chickens. Why we think there is so much misinformation about the true cost of food How Tyler got comfortable with offering his chickens at a relatively high price point His approach to finding the “right” customer for Big Bluff Ranch chickens The lessons he’s learned about preserving profit margins And we wrap up the conversation exploring where Tyler sees room for innovation in the agriculture industry, and how that can preserve the legacy of farming for future generations. Connect with Tyler Website: Big Bluff Ranch Instagram: @thebigbluffranch Email: [email protected] Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Saying "no" to opportunities for growth can be a difficult thing to do. Saying "yes" to the wrong customers can cost you your business. In this episode, Sarah welcomes Gwen Richardson to the podcast. Gwen is the Sales Director at Repurpose, a leading retail brand of sustainable disposable tableware, garbage bags and soft paper for the home. She cut her teeth in CPG with almost 10 years in the craft beer industry in Boston and the Bay Area before moving to Los Angeles and putting more focus into sustainability with her role at Repurpose. Having held every outward facing sales position at Repurpose, from entry level sales manager to now Sales Director, Gwen’s experience growing through retail and negotiating with distributors has taught her so much. And now she wants to share those lessons with as many Founders as she can. You’ll hear: How Gwen and the Repurpose team approach growth and taking on new customers The role that vision and goals plays in decision making Why Gwen never makes a deal without consulting her “Goldilocks model” How community plays a huge role in creating change in the food industry Good Food CFO+ and Good Food Revolutionary members can also hear Gwen’s tips for negotiating with intention. This bonus clip will be available inside The Good Food CFO Community. Gwen will also be joining us inside the community for a Fireside Chat on Friday, April 14th. You can hear this bonus content and join us for this event by becoming a member today. Connect with Gwen: Website: Repurpose.com LinkedIn: Gwen Richardson Instagram: @repurpose Instagram: @gwengoesgreen Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Are you ready to expand your production, but are unsure where to begin? Maybe you’re just starting to produce your product, and want to put the right systems in place now to ensure efficiency when you are ready to move into a commercial kitchen or partner with a co-packer? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Charlotte Walter, Chocolatier and Founder of Charlotte Truffles, a chocolate shop celebrating the diversity of our community through chocolate. With her unique background and experience, Charlotte was able to successfully expand her unique offerings and her team. Charlotte is sharing her process to formalize and expand production, either internally or with a co-packer. You’ll learn her 4 phase process for scaling your production from R&D, through defining your quality metrics, to hiring your first employee and ensuring you have everything in place to produce on a large scale. Sarah and Charlotte are also taking this conversation into The Good Food CFO Community with two follow up bonus episodes! This exclusive bonus content is available to Good Food CFO+ and Revolutionary Members. Join Us today to get access to these episodes, and all other bonus content. Connect with Charlotte: Website: www.charlottetruffles.com Instagram:@chartruffles Facebook: chartruffles Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Martha Bourlakas launched Storied Goods, a celebration business that creates infused Sugar Cubes for cocktails, coffee, and tea, in 2018. However, Martha considers 2022 the true start of her business. 2022 was the year Martha focused on foundational internal goals like identifying and onboarding a co-packer, transitioning accounting software and bookkeeping firms, setting up invoicing and sales systems and negotiating the rates she needed to succeed long term. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Martha, and welcomes back Ashley Sutterfield, founder of Sage. Together they are walking through the ways they worked together to prepare for the growth of Storied Goods, and how that work changed Martha’s mindset about business. You’ll hear: Why successfully scaling Storied Goods meant slowing down, and focusing on the internal systems before focusing on growth What finding the right partners can mean for your business Why goal setting should be a deeply personal matter And a lot more Ashley and Martha will join Sarah inside The Good Food CFO Community for a Live Q&A on Thursday, March 9th. Sign up today to learn more about this event. Connect with Martha: Website: Storied Goods Instagram: @storied_goods Connect with Ashley: Website: Co-Packing with Ashley Newsletter Sample: Sage Advice LinkedIn: Ashley Sutterfield Access Ashley’s co-packing Course: Co-Packing & Beyond Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Stay Connected: Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Jenni Trilik and Marcus Contaldo, Founders of Modest Coffee shared their costly experience with a national distributor on their blog that caught the eye of the good food industry, its supporters, and many more. In response to their story, more than 4,000 individuals answered the call to purchase and/or donate a case of coffee to keep the business alive. In this episode, Jenni and Marcus join Sarah to share their story as well as the lessons learned and how Modest Coffee is moving forward. Listen in as they discuss: How Jenni and Marcus got into the coffee business, and the original vision for Modest Coffee Why they decided to work with a broker and national distributor The common misunderstanding/miscommunication that had Modest producing more coffee than they could handle The details of the industry standard distributor contract they signed, and how it nearly cost them their business How a viral moment kept their business alive How this experience is shaping the future of their business Jenni and Marcus’s story, like the stories of many founders, reminds us that we have agency over our own businesses, we can build a business on our own terms, and we can create change in the food industry. Connect with Modest Coffee Website: www.modest.coffee Instagram: @modestcoffee LinkedIn: Modest Coffee In addition to running a coffee roasting operation, Jenni and Marcus, along with their co-worker and friend, Stephanie, host an amusing and educational podcast called No Bad Reviews: A Coffee Podcast that explores topics in business, history, and culture using coffee as inspiration. Website: No Bad Reviews: A Coffee Podcast Continue the Conversation & The Good Food Revolution Join us in The Good Food CFO Community to be a part of the conversation with Jenni & Marcus during a Fireside Chat on February 28th. Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Have you been looking for a way to access funding for your business that doesn’t include giving up your equity, doesn’t involve traditional bank loans, and doesn’t come with huge interest rates? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Jackie Chan, COO and Co-Founder of SMBX - the Small Business Bond™ marketplace that connects qualified U.S. small and medium businesses with people in their communities who want to invest in them. Together they are discussing how the SMBX business model is disrupting traditional funding methods for Good Food Businesses. You’ll learn: How SMBX works, and how it differs from other funding methods The benefits of working with SMBX for both the business AND the community of investors What you need to know before working with SMBX How SMBX supports businesses throughout the process Jackie and the SMBX team will also join us inside The Good Food CFO Community for a Live Q&A in February. This event is open to Good Food CFO+ and Good Food Revolutionary Members. With a Good Food CFO+ membership you can: Have access to all Live Q&As Get exclusive podcast bonus content Attend Live Podcast Recordings. Become a Good Food CFO+ Member Connect with SMBX: Website: www.thesmbx.com Instagram: @thesmbx Twitter: @thesmbx YouTube: @TheSMBX LinkedIn: SMBX Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Have you been considering opening a B2B E-Commerce channel in your Food Business? Have you already joined a platform like Faire or Mable, and are still trying to figure it out? In this episode, Sarah welcomes Brady DeLong back to the podcast. Brady is an 8-year Sales and Operations veteran of the CPG industry, spending the first chapter on the Food & Bev side, he’s now working in the Health, Beauty, and Wellness arena. He has grown brands through DTC, DSD, traditional distribution, food service, retail, and B2B e-commerce - a relatively new channel that he utilized to exponentially grow sales after experiencing constraints in traditional distribution channels. He has since become an expert in the channel, and is sharing what every brand needs to know before going live on a B2B e-commerce platform. Sarah and Brady discuss: Exactly how B2B E-Commerce sites work, and the benefits of the channel Your must-haves before going live on a B2B E-Commerce platform How to approach promotions and communications through this channel Some best practices and unique strategies for maximizing your margins You will walk away from this episode with everything you need to know to get started with B2B E-Commerce. Connect with Brady: LinkedIn: Brady DeLong Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

When faced with the decision of how to grow your business, it can be hard to believe in YOUR unique vision and dream for your business if everyone around you and every success story you hear is all the same. It’s time to disrupt Food Business media, and change the success stories being told, because the truth is, what we're hearing, reading and being taught doesn't represent the stories of the majority of successful businesses. In this episode, Sarah is talking about Bo Burlingham’s Small Giants, a book that shares success stories of founders who carved their own path. It is a must-read for anyone who is ready, or wants to build a business on their own terms. From the book, Sarah shares: Why studying the success of publicly traded companies is a mistake Two pervasive myths we are fed about successful businesses What it really means to be a small business How you can measure success outside of growth and sales Sarah, other founders, industry experts and disruptors are coming together here and in the new The Good Food CFO community to support you. And we’ll continue to share books, articles and other podcasts that are also changing the narrative. If you’ve read a good book, listened to a great podcast or otherwise read or heard a story of someone building a business on their own terms please share it with us via email to [email protected] Stay Connected: Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in The Good Food CFO Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Where do we go from here? That was the question Sarah found herself asking back in September as she was calling for change in the food industry. As we prepare to take a big step forward in The Good Food Revolution, we want to take you back to where it all started, so we are going to rewind through what we consider essential listening for this movement. We ended Season 4 of the Podcast calling for change in the Food Industry, and you answered that call. From posting on social media, flooding our inbox, and even joining our first ever Good Food CFO Fireside Chat; you let your voice be heard. The Good Food Revolution has arrived. At the beginning of Season 5, we were asking: What now? How do we continue to disrupt? How do we create REAL CHANGE? And how do we move this revolution forward together? These are the questions Sarah ponders in this episode. She didn’t have all the answers yet, but she did have a pretty good idea about where to start, and that was with YOU. The Good Food CFO is creating spaces to continue to support you and this movement. To stay up to date on all we are doing, sign up for our newsletter. You can also join in by participating in our Good Food Revolution Survey. Got a question or idea for the show? Email [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

As we prepare to take a big step forward in The Good Food Revolution, we want to take you back to where it all started, so we are going to rewind through what we consider essential listening for this movement. The Food Industry is broken. Good Food Founders have the power to change that. Today on the Podcast Sarah speaks straight from the heart; discussing the truth about the current state of the Food Industry, and how it is rigged against small, mission driven food businesses. But she doesn’t stop there; she provides insight into how to create meaningful and equitable systemic change. This is the Good Food Revolution. If you have felt the effects of this broken system on your business, and wondered what options you have to take a stand against inequity, this is the episode for you! Tune in, stand up, and speak out. Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Instagram: @The.Good.Food.CFO Join our Newsletter to stay up to date on The Good Food Revolution This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Earlier this year as The Good Food Revolution began to take shape, Sarah shared her thoughts around how to build momentum in this movement. One of the most important steps was keeping the conversation alive. That led to the creation of [email protected], a place for you to send questions and comments about specific episodes, and even to share what topics you would like to hear in future episodes. In this episode, Sarah is going through the inbox and answering listener questions related to goal setting for the year ahead, forecasting for a business that isn’t IN business yet, and budgeting for trade spend with sustainable profitable growth in mind. Got a question or idea for the show? We’ll be doing more episodes just like this in the future, so send us your questions! Email [email protected] Stay Connected! Instagram: @TheGoodFoodCFO Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Having a Financial Forecast is like having a road map for your business. The more robust that forecast is, the more confident you can be that you are headed in the right direction. But many Food Founders don’t complete the process due the uncertainty around sales projections and promotional planning. In this episode, Sarah welcomes back Felice Thorpe as they discuss forecasting, and introduce the brand new Annual Planning Workshop they have created to help founders simplify the financial forecasting process. You’ll hear: What you’ll need to get started with your Financial Forecast Why you should include your team in the process How to get over the fear of getting your Sales projections wrong Where to include promotions in your plan And so much more! Financial Forecasting is a valuable process for your Good Food Business. The resulting 12-month Financial Forecast is a tool you can revisit throughout the year to ensure that you are on track to reach your goals. If you are interested in the Annual Planning Workshop, visit our website. You’ll find more information on this workshop, as well as our new Good Food CFO Courses as they become available. Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Instagram: @The.Good.Food.CFO Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Influencer marketing can change the trajectory of your business overnight. It can also lead nowhere, leaving you wondering why you invested any time, effort or money in the first place. In this episode, Sarah is joined by TikTok influencer Becca Murray and Piquant Marketing Agency Founder, Lindsay O’Donnell for a round table on all things Influencer Marketing. Every angle is covered in this conversation, as you hear perspectives and gain insights from both sides of an influencer marketing deal/relationship. And you might be surprised about what you learn! The panel discusses: The importance of building an organic relationship with an Influencer The surprising negotiation details you’ve probably never thought about How much work is actually involved for both the Influencer and the Brand A completely different way to look at ROI And so much more! Connect with Becca Website: Becca Murray Photo Instagram: @thebeccamurray TikTok: @thebeccamurray Connect with Lindsay Website: Piquant Marketing Instagram: @piquantmarketing Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Instagram: @The.Good.Food.CFO Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

The Good Food CFO is evolving. In this special bonus episode Sarah is sharing what is next for The Good Food CFO, and how we can take this movement to the next level. Sarah is sharing: The Good Food CFO’s new mission statement, and the why behind it Our new website and social media handles How you can take action and join this movement Episode Links: Website: TheGoodFoodCFO.com Newsletter: Sign Up Instagram: @thegoodfoodcfo Got a question or idea for the show? Email us at [email protected] Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Are you struggling to understand your cash flow? Have you ever thought “How can I scale my production without taking on more debt?” In this episode, Sarah is answering that question and rethinking how we talk about, and understand cash flow in food businesses. She will break down everything you need to know in order to grow your business sustainably, while still working toward your goal of profitability.Sarah is sharing:Key terms for understanding your cash flowExactly how your gross profit margin relates to your cash flowHow to understand the impact of your profit margins across sales channelsHow to rethink your sales channel strategy to meet your cash flow goals4 Steps for gaining knowledge and confidence around your cash flow todayYou’ll leave this episode with a better understanding of the relationship between your margins and cash flow so you can make informed decisions about funding the growth of your business.Follow along on Instagram: @thegoodfoodcfo This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

There has been a lot of talk recently about the ”need” to implement accrual accounting instead of cash accounting if you are, or plan to be, seeking investment for your Good Food Business. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Danielle Hayden, Founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting - an accounting firm designed to help female entrepreneurs understand their financials in order to grow their businesses and become more profitable. Sarah and Danielle are breaking down cash and accrual accounting, and why the method you choose matters to your business. You’ll hear: The differences between cash and accrual accounting How the accounting method you choose ties to your taxes What systems and people you must have in place if you want to implement Accrual accounting successfully How to think about choosing an accounting method for your business, whether you’re seeking investment or not And a lot more! Choosing the right accounting method for your business will look different for everyone. Every business is unique, and your accounting method should be serving your specific needs and goals. Getting clear on the differences is the best place to start. Connect with Danielle: Website: Kickstartaccountinginc.com Podcast: Entrepreneur Money Stories Got a question or an idea for the show? Email us at: [email protected] Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

As a native to New Jersey, Emily Winston always looked forward to the days when her father would bring home H&H bagels after a long day of business in New York. After moving to the west coast and learning that H&H went out of business in 2011, Emily was devastated and became determined to recreate the bagel that she remembered cherishing as a kid. After 5 years of trial and error, Boichik Bagels was born. Today, Emily joins Sarah on the podcast to share how she is building a bagel empire on her own terms. From testing her recipe on friends and family and launching at the Eat Real Festival in 2017, to opening her first retail space and now growing that to a multi-location operation, Emily walks us through it all. You will hear how Emily: Developed the perfect bagel recipe Tested to find out if there was a market for her premium product Ran the numbers and sold HERSELF on her business plan Approached funding in a creative way when she didn’t like what the Banks were offering Emily has been doing things her own way since day one, and her story is proof that with a lot of passion and a little bit of chutzpah, you can too. To connect with Emily: Website: https://boichikbagels.com Instagram: @boichikbagels LinkedIn: Emily Winston Got a question or an idea for the show? Email us at: [email protected] Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

If you have been following along with The Good Food Revolution, you know that I recently asked this community of Good Food Founders where they feel knowledgeable and confident in building a business on their own terms, and what they want to learn more about. There was a resounding response that you want to know more about alternative and unconventional sales channels. You want to know what’s beyond the retail store, and you were most interested in learning about Food Service. In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Bryden, the Founder and CEO of Cureate - an education, consulting and procurement firm devoted to building an empowered supply chain to meet changing consumer demand. Kim is sharing: What the Food Service channel really looks like (it’s not just supplying restaurants) Channel opportunities that you may not have thought of How the traditional Food Service supply chain works What Cureate is doing to disrupt the channel and open doors for small good food brands Connect with Kim: Website: https://www.cureate.co Instagram: @cureateco Got a question or an idea for the show? Email us at: [email protected] Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

If building a business on your own terms includes selling your products via your brand’s own website, and you want to drive traffic to your site, this is the episode for you! Today, Sarah is joined by Andy Janaitis, the founder and chief strategist of PPC Pitbulls, to discuss the digital marketing space, and how to determine if Google Ads is the right fit for your business. Andy has over 10 years of agency experience in the digital space, across several industries and now focuses on creating custom digital marketing strategies and driving measurable results for his craft food, beverage and clothing brand clients - for whom they now manages over $1M in annual ad spend For anyone that is new to the digital marketing space, Andy is helping us understand: Everything Google Ads and optimization tools can do The three things you should have in place before you are ready to use Google Ads The important role your margins and shipping costs play in determining if Google Ads are the right fit for your business The return on investment that you can expect And so much more Andy and PPC Pitbulls are also offering our listeners a free download of their Digital Marketing Maturity Model. And don’t forget about our DIY Profit Assessment Course. This is THE tool that we offer to help you understand your margins and how to move forward in your business profitably. Connect with Andy Janaitis: Website: PPC PitbullsLinkedIn: PPC Pitbulls LinkedIn: Andy Janaitis Youtube: PPC Pitbulls Got a question or an idea for the show? Email us at: [email protected] Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast, Sarah is joined by Brady DeLong. He is an 8-year veteran of the Natural CPG space, building Hen of the Woods as their COO and National Sales Director. Brady is sharing some key lessons he and his team have learned over the last 8 years. His story includes: The company’s early growth strategy, and how it evolved How they recovered from inequitable deals What they learned from navigating distribution and sales channels How they currently analyze every opportunity and determine if it’s a yes or a no-go. Brady has never been one to do things just because “that’s the way it’s always been done”, and his story is proof that you don’t have to either. You can Build a Business on Your Own Terms. Connect with Brady DeLong: Website: www.henofthewoodsotr.com Instagram: @HenofthewoodssnacksFacebook: @HenofthewoodssnacksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-delong/ Special Offer for Our Listeners: Use Code GoodFood15 to build your own snack box from Hen of The Woods Email the show: [email protected] Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Where do we go from here? We ended Season 4 of the Podcast calling for change in the Food Industry, and you answered that call. From posting on social media, flooding our inbox, and even joining our first ever Good Food CFO Fireside Chat; you let your voice be heard. The Good Food Revolution has arrived. As we begin a new season, the biggest questions are: What now? How do we continue to disrupt? How do we create REAL CHANGE? And how do we move this revolution forward together? These are the questions Sarah ponders on today’s episode. She doesn’t have all the answers yet, but she does have a pretty good idea about where to start, and that is with YOU. The Good Food CFO is creating spaces to continue this two-way conversation. You can join in by participating in our Good Food Revolution Survey, or by reaching out to us directly at [email protected] and telling us what you would like to hear on upcoming episodes. Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or here to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

The Food Industry is broken. Good Food Founders have the power to change that. Today on the Podcast Sarah speaks straight from the heart; discussing the truth about the current state of the Food Industry, and how it is rigged against small, mission driven food businesses. But she doesn’t stop there; she provides insight into how to create meaningful and equitable systemic change. This is the Good Food Revolution. If you have felt the effects of this broken system on your business, and wondered what options you have to take a stand against inequity, this is the episode for you! Tune in, stand up, and speak out. Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Owning and operating a good food business comes with an endless number of decisions that need to be made each day. Among them, big financial decisions cause the most stress, and the most regret if things don’t pan out how you hoped. Whether you’re in the midst of making a big financial decision, or want to prepare for the next one that will inevitably come your way, we’ve got you covered! Today on the podcast, Sarah is sharing her three step financial decision making process: Remember Your Business Objectives Determine if the investment will move you closer to your business objectives Consider the 2nd Order Consequences of Your Decision If your goal is to create a sustainable business that minimizes risk and grows profitably, and you're considering a big purchase, a long term investment or expense, taking on debt or maybe opening a line of credit, this three step process is designed for you! Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. *Mentions Good Food CFO Blog Building a Successful Business on Your Own Terms with Katie Mleziva: Ep. 23 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Sarah is joined by Asha Mody, a certified brand strategist, award-winning designer and the founder and Chief Brand Officer of Mindsy. Asha sheds light on how your brand strategy not only serves to reach customers and boost revenue, but also creates clarity, alignment and a clear direction for your business internally- from the CEO, to the CFO, and to customer facing teams - increasing your ROI and profitability. Asha also shares four reasons for building a strong brand and how creating a mindful roadmap will help you achieve: Customer Growth Customer Loyalty Increased revenue Increasing profit margins Asha explains Brand Strategy and its internal and external benefits in such an approachable way, and presents so many financial benefits! If you think you’ve heard all there is to hear about the importance of brand strategy I encourage you to listen in! About Asha Asha Mody, a certified brand strategist & award-winning designer who specializes in building brands, and whose visual identity connects mindfully & seamlessly to the story that needs to be told. Asha has worked for over 15 years in the design industry, both in the U.S. and India. She draws on her authentic roots and international experience in her approach to clean, mindful design. Asha has designed for an INC 500 company, and her work has been featured in World Packaging Design and Awarded in GDUSA. Her work consistently elevates her client's brands and products to the top of their markets, resulting in a loyal and engaged audience that drives profits. Connect with Asha: https://www.mindsy.design/ https://www.instagram.com/mindsydesign/ Special Offer for Our Listeners: Free brand consultancy (Ask me anything) for 30 min only for podcast listener: Visit Mindsy Design website sign up and mention the words “Good food CFO” Or DM Asha on IG or LinkedIn Connect with Sarah:Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consultingJoin us in the Profitable Food Business Community Visit sarahdelevan.com to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

We have had brand experts, social media + ad experts, and a Shopify expert on our show to discuss attracting your audience, getting them to your website, and even what target conversion rates and Average Cart Value look like for good food brands, but the missing link has been HOW we convert our website visitors to customers, until now… Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Anna Bradshaw, a copywriter and content strategist specializing in website copy and email marketing for CPG brands. Anna’s approach combines data-driven research with a proven copywriting process to create rich, flavorful brand messages that generate more sales online. Today Anna is sharing how to do just that. Know Your Audience Descriptions & Removes Objections Do you have to have professionally designed page to achieve this Knowing when to invest in your copy Connect with Anna: Website: www.annakbradshaw.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anna-bradshaw Instagram: @anna_k_bradshaw Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Trade shows are an important part of building a good food business, but just being there isn’t going to create a return on your investment. Making the most out of your tradeshow experience takes more than just being there. Today on the podcast, Sarah is joined by Lindsay O’Donnell - she is the owner and founder of Piquant Marketing. A digital marketing agency of visionaries, creatives, and marketers who grow food brands ready to change the world. Whether it be social media, content creation, online ads, branding, and design, or influencer marketing, Piquant believes in building communities and evangelists around natural health CPG. Lindsay recently partnered with Planted Expo, Canada’s largest plant-based event with hundreds of local and international food brands. Today Lindsay is sharing: 4 Key Ways to Gain Value from Trade Shows - not related to sales! Best practices for preparing your team for a tradeshow How to make the most of your financial investment. Connect with Lindsay: Website Instagram LinkedIn Making The Most Of Trade Shows Training: https://www.plantedlife.com/making-the-most-of-trade-shows-webinar Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

We’re celebrating small business month all month long, and this week we’re back with another bonus episode! Each mini-episode will feature the owner of a small business in the world of Good Food sharing their experiences and “aha” moments. Today on the show I’m joined by Shannon Hiller-Webb, the Principal of Prosparus, a marketing and operational strategy consulting agency guiding businesses to their next level of prosperity. In this episode she’ll be discussing how collecting data can help you customize and personalize your content and marketing strategy to your audience. How reflecting on your values strengthens your brand and how your audience is more than your customers. She also asks the question: What data are you collecting and why? This may be an “aha” moment that inspires you, and may help you build your business on your own terms. If you’re a small business owner, you don’t want to miss this episode! Connect with Shannon: Website: www.prosparus.com Instagram: @prosparus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/capergirl/ Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

The moment that sparks an idea for a business can start anywhere. The stories and the people behind small businesses are what makes them unique and authentic. But, building a business from an idea into a success, takes planning, structure, facing challenges, dedication and a clear vision. Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Skyler Mapes, the co-founder of EXAU Olive Oil, an Internationally recognized award-winning olive oil company based in Calabria Italy. Skyler is an amazing female founder who is shaping her business and career on her own terms. In this episode Skyler shares: The origin story of Exau Olive Oil How the company vision guides her decision making Challenges and lessons learned from starting her business How Exau pivoted during Covid, and they continue to consider growth options The importance of understanding her finances, and more Connect with Skyler: Website Instagram: @EXAUoliveoil Facebook: @EXAUoliveoil LinkedIn Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

May is Small Business month, and we’re celebrating by bringing you bonus episodes all month long! Each mini-episode will feature the owner of a small business in the world of Good Food sharing their experiences and “aha” moments. Today, Ashley Sutterfield, CEO and owner of Sage is joining Sarah to discuss how she thinks about her business’ calendar year, and how a similar shift in thinking could look for other small business owners. It was an “aha” moment that inspired Sarah, and may help you build your business on your own terms. If you’re a small business owner, you don’t want to miss this episode! Connect with Ashley: Website Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community to connect with other small business owners like yourself! Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

May is Small Business Month and to celebrate we invited Sarah Marshall, Founder and Creator of Marshall’s Haute Sauce, author of Preservation Pantry : Modern Canning From Root to Top & Stem to Core, and Co-host of the Meaningful Marketplace Podcast to the show to share how she built her business. Sarah founded her good food business in 2011, sourcing ingredients from local farmers, producing her sauces by hand, and building relationships through farmer’s market and community events. From a very early stage Sarah considered how the numbers shaped what role she wanted to play within her business, and the role she wanted the business to play in her life. Sarah is sharing: Steps she took to educate herself on being a business owner How her past professional experiences complimented her food business journey When to say “no” and stay true to your vision How knowing her numbers helped to build the business of her dreams Being a small business owner has its challenges, but the rewards are priceless when you take the steps to build the business you want. Connect with Sarah Marshall: Website: http://www.marshallshautesauce.com Instagram and twitter: @spicymarshall Facebook: @marshallshautesauce Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. *Mentioned links: Farmers Market Pros includes access to their podcast and conference details This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the Good Food CFO Podcast Sarah is joined by Felice Thorpe and Shannon Hiller-Webb. The three have recently joined forces and founded the Good Food Consortium and they can’t wait to tell you about it, and share their vision for how the Consortium supports Good Food Business owners like you! About Felice Felice is the founder of Felice Foods, through which she provides sales director consulting services. Felice has strong roots in American agriculture and began her food career over 20 years ago as Director of Business Development for an organic grains company. She then moved on to become National Sales Director for O Olive Oil, where she gained placement into Target and Walmart. And served as Sales Director for many of our favorites… Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Laura Chenel, Marin French and St Benoit Creamery; where she achieved exporting cheese to Asia, and expanding national distribution. About Shannon Shannon is the Principal of Prosparus, a marketing and operational strategy consulting agency guiding businesses to their next level of prosperity. She brings creative innovation and resources together to evaluate whole company health to define the business value proposition, mission and goals and collaborates to offer solutions that foster change. Her consulting focuses on branding, competitive & profitability assessments with SWOT analysis to inform a go-to-market strategy that includes advertising, marketing, sales funnel, pricing, channel strategy, promotional planning, resource allocation and operational analysis with performance metrics. Today Sarah, Felice & Shannon are sharing: How they met and where the idea for the Consortium was born The Goal of the Consortium How they’ll be collaborating with industry experts to achieve that goal Upcoming Events If you’ve been looking for meaningful education and access to resources in the Good Food Business industry, this episode is for you! Visit us at: https://goodfoodconsortium.org/ for more information and to register for the LIVE event in Portland, OR or to purchase the RECORDING. Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Oregon State Food Innovation Center Connect with Felice: Website: www.felicefoods.com Instagram: @thorpefelice LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felice-thorpe-75482943/ Shannon: Website: www.prosparus.com Instagram: @prosparus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/capergirl/ Sarah: Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

There is no one-size-fits all production solution for Good Food Businesses. But there are considerations that will help you make the right decision for yours. Ashley Sutterfield is back on the podcast! She is the founder and director of Sage Expert, formerly Metzger & Roth, which she founded after seeing food entrepreneurs constantly struggling to understand when and what to do to grow their businesses, Ashley and her team offer empathy-based food production coaching that helps food brands understand their production options so they can get the answers they need to feel empowered to act. Ashley helps food business owners scale production profitably so they can finally have more time to spend with family and focus on other areas of their business. In this episode of The Good Food CFO Podcast Ashley is sharing: The 4 production options every business should consider How to determine which option is best for you and your business Why choosing your production type isn’t solely a financial decision Some questions to think about before choosing a co-packer If you’re struggling to understand what to do about production to grow your businesses profitably, or are ready to start considering your options, this episode is for you! Connect with Ashley: Website Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. *The Good Food CFO Podcast Episode 15: CoPacker Costs with Ashley Sutterfield This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast we’re talking about Financial Workflows. Exciting, right?! It really is, and you’re about to find out why! Creating smart financial workflows is your ticket to a smooth bookkeeping process, clear monthly financial reporting, and sales data that you can cut and slice any way you’d like - helping you forecast sales and make informed strategic and financial decisions. In this Episode Sarah is sharing: 4 Goals a Financial Workflow can achieve for your Good Food Business How to start building your Financial Workflow What data in your workflow to use to make informed financial & strategic decisions How to choose tools that best support your food business & your workflow If you’re a business owner who dreads month end and the back and forth with your bookkeeper, who wishes they had better sales data (or any sales data) to review in order to forecast production and sales for the future, this episode is for you! If you could use some support in creating Financial Workflows that work FOR you, join us in the Profitable Food Business Community where we’ll be discussing this topic in our April Live Q+A, and all month long. Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast, we’re going to geek out on a couple of financial terms and the numbers behind them. We’re talking about “Real Revenue” - What is it? And Why is it SO Important? Today Sarah is sharing: What “Real Revenue” IS What “Real Revenue” ISN’T 3 Primary Goals “Real Revenue” Should Achieve How a Profit Assessment Can Show You if Your Real Revenue is Working for You Without a healthy “Real Revenue” number it’s difficult if not impossible to achieve financial sustainability and profitability within your business. Do you know your Real Revenue number? Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Having a Profitable PRODUCT does not guarantee that you can build a Profitable BUSINESS, but it is an important first step. Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Adam Pollack, Vice President of Marketing at Rodeo CPG. Together they are discussing the foundational elements of ensuring that your product is viable (aka you can sell it for more than it costs to make) and then how you go about ensuring that you can build a profitable business around that product. Whether you’re a food business veteran, or thinking about launching your first food business, this episode offers up insightful info about: What COGS are, and how to calculate yours What “good” COGS look like for a mission-driven food business The BIG misconception business owners have around COGS and Volume How Profit Margins change as you grow into new sales channels Why Bottomline Growth outweighs Topline Growth How you can create a realistic and helpful financial model for your business And SO much more! Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. Then join us in the FREE Profitable Food Business Community to continue the conversation Want to Connect? Connect with Adam Pollack: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Rodeo CPG Links: Jumpstart Course Build a Sales Plan This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast we’re talking about Budgeting and Forecasting - What is the difference? And do you REALLY need both for your food business? Spoiler Alert! The answer is Yes. In this Episode of Sarah is sharing: What Financial Forecasting Helps You See & the Questions it Answers How Financial Projections and Budgeting Work Hand-in-Hand How Budgeting Creates Financial Ease and Confidence Real-Life Client Wins, thanks to Budgeting If you have questions about creating financial plans, or a budget for your business Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community For a 34 day free trial of my favorite budgeting app, YNAB, click here. Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consultingVisit sarahdelevan.com to learn about our Profit Assessment + CFO Consulting Services This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Here on the Good Food CFO Podcast we want you to have your most profitable year yet, so today on the podcast we’re sharing 4-Steps to make that happen. We’re covering a lot of information in today’s episode, from setting clear goals, understanding your finances and everything in between as well as tools and processes to support you throughout your profitable food business journey. Grab your favorite note-taking device, we’re getting right to it! Get your YNAB 34 day free trial here: YNAB Free Trial Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

As a business owner you may have heard of these three important words “mission, vision and values”. Do you have them defined for your brand? Have you thought about what they can do for your business? Having these three areas defined in your business can do so much if you use them the right way and share them with your consumers. Defining who you are as a brand takes time and thoughtfulness, don’t leave it up on a shelf. Consumers want to know! Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Felice Thorpe, founder of Felice Foods, through which she provides sales director consulting services. Felice has strong roots in American agriculture and began her food career over 20 years ago as Director of Business Development for an organic grains company. She moved on to become National Sales Director for O Olive Oil, where she gained placement into Target and Walmart. She served as Sales Director for many of our favorites… Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Laura Chenel, Marin French and St Benoit Creamery; where she achieved exporting cheese to Asia, and expanding national distribution. Felice is joining us to talk about how having a clear Mission, Vision and Value statement can: -Positively affect your business financially both internally and externally -Better align you with potential buyers and customers -Help you make business decisions to grow as a company -Bring you loyal customers Connect with Felice: Website: www.felicefoods.com Instagram: @thorpefelice LinkedIn: Felice Thorpe Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Should I sell my product on my website or should I sell my product on Shopify? If you’re a CPG brand it’s pretty likely you’ve asked yourself that question. If you still aren’t sure, today’s episode may provide the answers you need to help you make a decision. In this episode Sarah is joined by Chase Clymer, Co-founder of Electric Eye, an agency that increases sales for ecommerce brands.Chase is also the host of Honest Ecommerce, a weekly podcast, community & educational resource providing online store owners with honest, actionable advice to increase their sales and grow their business. Chase is sharing The functional benefits of building your online store on the Shopify platform The financial benefits of a Shopify store His favorite Shopify apps The 3 KPIs that make up his “brand scaling framework” Tips for maximizing your Return on Investment in your online store Connect with Chase: Website: Electric Eye + Honest E-Commerce LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community *Sarah’s mentions: Building a Successful Business on Your Own Terms with Katie Mleziva Ep 23 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Ellen Rawley, founder of Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy where she helps farms and food businesses launch & grow profitable product lines. Her go-to-market services include organic and food safety compliance, grant writing, and product strategy. Since founding her business in 2016 Ellen has secured $800,000 in grant funding for budding farm businesses, and helped launch countless products - many of which have been featured in the debut of Martha Stewart’s American Made Shop, Food & Wine Magazine, and Oprah’s list of favorite things. Her work has been recognized through speaking engagements with the Stonebarns Center for Agriculture, the Food Craft Institute, and the California State Grange. Today on the podcast Ellen is sharing: -What it takes to become Certified Organic - The costs are involved in becoming Organic Certified - Benefits of offering a Certified Organic product - Grant opportunities to help promote Organic Certified products Connect with Ellen: Website Instagram Facebook Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

We’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes because it’s just too good to release only once! We’re taking you back to Episode 04 of our first season, in this special “Round Table” episode of The Good Food CFO podcast Sarah joins Alli Ball and Katie Mleziva, CPG experts in Sales Strategy and Brand Strategy, respectively to talk about the 3 Pillars of a Successful Food + Beverage Brand. Join three food industry experts as we discuss: The basics of each pillar: Brand, Finance and Sales strategy How the 3 Pillars come together and inform one another (and what order to tackle them) The 3 C’s of Brand Strategy When businesses should start thinking about their Brand Strategy The benefits of Financial Modeling Pricing for product profitability vs. business profitability How to rollout a price change with a distributor or retail partner Katie’s “Do, Build or Buy” Strategy MEET KATIE Katie Mleziva is a Food Brand Strategist and host of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast. She has 20 years of experience in Brand & Marketing Strategy across a range of brands from Fortune 500 companies to local startups and farms. Katie is driven to help emerging food businesses go from making a great product to building a strong brand that stands out in order to help get good food into the hands of more people. MEET ALLI Alli Ball is a former Grocery Buyer turned Wholesale Consultant, and the creator of Retail Ready®, an online course for producers of packaged product in the food industry. Alli has helped hundreds of emerging brands understand what it takes to get their products on the retail shelf- and keep them there- by sharing the behind-the-scenes secrets and thought process of Wholesale Buyers as they assess new products for their stores or online marketplace. LINKS + RESOURCES Visit Alli’s website Follow Alli on Instagram Learn More about Retail Ready Visit Katie’s website Follow Katie on Instagram Learn more about Katie’s Program, Brand Strategy Streamlined Visit Sarah’s website Follow Sarah on Instagram Learn more about the Financial Success Formula Program This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Filing for bankruptcy is not an experience most business owners talk about, and that’s unfortunate. Shared experiences is just one way business owners can learn, grow and make informed decisions. Nothing is predictable and everyone’s situation is different, but there’s always something valuable to learn from other business owner’s journeys. Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Luisa Alberto, CEO of People First Finance, a virtual CFO agency that provides bookkeeping, tax planning and financial strategy services to women business owners. Luisa has eighteen years of finance and operations experience working alongside visionary leaders of successful Bay area startups and earned her first entrepreneurial stripes as owner and operator of a boutique Made to Order Juice bar in San Francisco. Her mission these days is to ease the financial burden and overwhelm that holds too many talented self employed women back from reaching their full potential and making a successful living as the brilliant creators they were born to be. Luisa is sharing her bankruptcy story, insights and advice including: Why HOW you take on debit in your business matters (even for an LLC) How taking on business debt the ‘wrong way’ led her to filing for bankruptcy Her journey from Bankruptcy to a thriving new business How she views debt and risk today Tips for assessing risk and taking on debt in your business Connect with Luisa: Website IG: @peoplefirstfinance Facebook LinkedIn Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or here to learn about our new + updated services. *Sarah’s episode mentions: “The Road Less Stupid” by Keith Cunningham This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast Sarah is sharing some of her top tips for a profitable holiday season - or any season! We’re talking about how to build profitable product bundles, determining the best sales and discount values for your business, and more. Sarah is sharing actionable tips that can be put in place before the busiest shopping season of the year and will benefit you all year long including: 3 Steps for Creating Profitable Product Bundles How to price discounted and “on sale” products Important considerations when discounting your products This is a busy time of year and it’s right around the corner so listen in and start preparing for a profitable holiday season! Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve been unsure how much of your budget to allocate to marketing, how to track your efforts, and how to make informed decisions regarding your efforts and your spending - you don’t want to miss this episode! Today on the podcast Sarah is joined by Alison Smith and Karin Samelson, co-founders of UMAI Marketing - a boutique, Austin-based marketing agency that scales CPG brands.They are well known in the industry for their “Core 3 Method” which focuses on Organic Social, Paid Social and Email Marketing, and in this episode they are sharing: The importance of each marketing element How to determine the right budget for each for your business Industry benchmarks Exactly how to track your outcomes and calculate your Return on Investment. This episode is full of actionable advice, so grab your favorite note-taking device and hit play! Then be sure to let us know where you’re listening by tagging us on social. RESOURCES and LINKS Follow UMAI Marketing on: UMAI Marketing Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn UMAI Resources: Breakeven ROAS Calculator Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

As we approach the holiday season and expect to see increases in online shopping, now is a great time to check in on your shipping offer and ensure that you’re maximizing profitability while benefiting your customers. An enticing shipping offer can be helpful in securing online sales, but you need to make sure that your offer isn’t negatively impacting your margins and that it's helping, not hurting, your efforts to build a profitable food business. In this episode Sarah is discussing the ongoing impacts Covid-19 has had on online shopping, customer expectations and shipping costs, and sharing: Four key considerations for determining the right shipping offer How to Price for “Free Shipping” A few free resources to help you do this work RESOURCES & LINKS: Receive free resources to get you on your way to creating a shipping offer that benefits both you and your consumers by clicking here! Get your holiday shipping offers ready and reserve your seat in our “Free Shipping Workshop” happening October 26th and 28th 2021! Sign up now, space is limited! Follow along on Instagram: @sarah.delevan.consulting Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the thegoodfoodcfo.com to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Good Food CFO podcast, Sarah is talking with Catt Fields White - Founder of the Little Italy Mercato - San Diego County’s largest weekly year-round farmers market, and Founder & CEO of Farmers Market Pros. Catt and her team at Farmers Market Pros provide small farmers and food makers with education in the basics of starting a food business, and making it financially sustainable through their Vendor 101 Course, Annual InTents Conference, and Tent Talk Podcast. In this episode Catt is sharing: The 4 Ps of a Successful Farmers Market Business Benefits of being a FM based brand, and why it's not just for early-stage businesses Lessons learned from her 13+ years as a market manager Why it’s important for you to MAKE MONEY in your food business No matter if you are just getting started or have been in business for years, are planning to or currently selling at Farmers Markets, or are building your business in another way, Catt’s insights on business and finance are valuable. Catt Fields White is the director of San Diego Markets, the Founder and CEO of Farmers Market Pros and a host of Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast. She writes and speaks at conferences and events worldwide, teaching market organizers and participants to make their operations stronger and educating consumers about the importance of supporting small farmers and food businesses. She consults with community organizations, market managers and emerging and evolving entrepreneurs. Resources + Links Tickets to for the 6th annual InTents: the Farmers Market Conference are now on sale! The event is happening in San Diego March 7th-9th, 2022. You can purchase your tickets here. Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast we’re going back to basics and Sarah is sharing her #1 piece of advice for food business owners - Slow Down. We’re challenging the belief that profitability comes only by doing more and selling more. The truth is that consistent cash flow and profitability come when you've got a profitable framework in place and you're setting and achieving the right goals for your business. Sarah is also sharing 3 Real-Life examples of business owner’s slowing down and the financial impacts it had on their business. We’d LOVE to hear from you and how you’re slowing down in your business to make informed decisions and help ensure your financially sustainable growth. Snap a screenshot of you listening to this episode and share one way that you’re slowing down on Instagram. You can use #thegoodfoodcfo and tag @sarah.delevan.consulting. If you’re interested in having a partner or a group of fellow food business owners to slow down with. Check out our 1-on-1 Consulting and Group Coaching Options by visiting thegoodfoodcfo.com Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Do you ever feel like building your business the way you “should”, isn’t right for you? You’re not alone. There are many paths to building a successful food business and how you’ll do it is truly up to you! You don’t have to make decisions based on ‘how it’s always been done.’ In this episode we’re talking with Katie Mleziva, Food Brand Strategist and host of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast to discuss how you can build a successful business on your own terms. Katie and Sarah are discussing: The benefits of creating a business that aligns with your personal + financial goals Key considerations to help you get clear on your Business Vision How a Clear Vision, Purpose + Values impact key decisions How to bring it all together as part of a successful financial and brand strategy Whether you’re just getting started, or a seasoned business owner it’s never too late to dig into this work. Katie Mleziva: Food Brand Strategist and host of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast. With 20 years of experience in Brand & Marketing Strategy across a range of brands from Fortune 500 companies to local startups. Katie is driven to help emerging natural food businesses and farms position themselves to stand out so they can go from making a good product to building a strong brand that stands out. Links and Resources: Find Katie Mleziva: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Facebook Group Ready to start moving toward a cash-based business? Take the first step with a Profit Assessment Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the thegoodfoodcfo.com to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

Today on Podcast we’re talking about Credit Cards, Letting Go of Negative Thoughts around Personal Business Debt, Avoiding the Debt Cycle in your Food Business so you can eventually be debt-free, and the steps you can take toward becoming a self-funded, cash-based business. If you have any guilt or shame around having business debt, I want you to let it go because... You're not "bad with money" because you have debt. Having debt and being profitable are not mutually exclusive. You can be profitable AND have debt! And, if you're ready to stop relying on your credit cards and become a cash business, in this episode Sarah discusses: You as an Equity Investor in your business Steps for paying down debt WITHOUT becoming cash-strapped How examining your financial efficiency helps increase profitability Using profit reserves to pay down your debts more quickly Ready to start moving toward a cash-based business? Take the first step with a Profit Assessment Join us in the Profitable Food Business Community Tune in to learn more, and visit sarahdelevan.com or the thegoodfoodcfo.com to learn about our new + updated services. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe