The Startup CPG Podcast

One of the hottest topics in our Slack community is brands looking for the right co-packer, and since this is something that I often help brands navigate outside of my work at Startup CPG, it’s a topic near and dear to my heart and I wanted to bring on one of my favorite co-packers to talk with, Motherlode Co-Packing in Colorado. Our guests today are Kit Maxfield, their Chief Marketing Officer and Partner, and Adam Bender who is their New Product Development Manager. I met Kit and Adam through my work at Boyle Brands and have always been impressed by their organization and willingness to educate, so I’m so excited to share this 101 level conversation where we establish some of the basics of working with a co-packer.Listen in as Kit and Adam shares about:The co-packer business modelDay-in-the-life of a co-packer that affects communication, timing, and relationships with brandsHow a co-packer scales up a recipe for their facilityWhy co-packer relationships are different than other vendorsBest practices for outreach to co-packersTips for successfully navigating onboarding with a co-packerAnd more!Because this topic is near and dear to my heart as an operations person and it’s the area spend the most time freelancing in, I’ve added in some extra context and term explanations throughout the episode and linked a bunch of resources in the show notes that can help you navigate the world of co-packing. Now let’s hear from Kit and Adam!This episode was sponsored by Shopify. Go to shopify.com/startupcpgThis episode was sponsored by Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.comThis episode was sponsored by Kickfurther. Go to https://www.kickfurther.com/startupcpgEpisode Links:Motherlode websiteKit’s LinkedInAdam’s LinkedInBrands mentioned: Primal KitchenUseful resource articles on co-packing: 3 Things To Have Before You Reach out to a Contract ManufacturerTurnkey vs. Tolling in a Contract Manufacturing RelationshipThe Thrill of the Search - The Journey of Searching for the Right Contract Manufacturing Partner3 Costly Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Working with Co-packersCo-Packing 101Shopify Links:Start a free trial and enjoy 2 months of Shopify for $1/monthStrategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit hereKickfurther Links:Kickfurther websiteSee how much inventory funding you qualify hereShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi Freitag's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

If you are in the Startup CPG Slack #finance channel, you’ll regularly see tons of questions about projections, cash flow, and unit economics, so I’m so excited today that we are joined by Paul Bianco, CEO and Founder of Graphite Financial. Born out of a VC fund, Graphite provides startup accounting, finance & tax services for high growth brands. For the past few months, Graphite has even been offering 1:1s with our community members for free to get specific advice for their business (keep an eye out in Slack for more opportunities). Today we’ll focus on the topic of unit economics for CPG companies.Listen in as Paul shares about:Tips for calculating gross margin correctlyIssues with commonly used terms like LTV (Life Time Value) and ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) and what metrics he recommends insteadUsing cohort analysis in LTV calculationsHow much data is enough data to create a meaningful analysisBest practices and tools for projectionsTips on when and how to find the right finance service for your companyAnd more!This episode was sponsored by Graphite Financial. Go to graphitefinancial.com/cpgThis episode was sponsored by Shopify. Go to shopify.com/startupcpgThis episode was sponsored by Promomash + Crisp. Go to promomash.com/startupcpgThis episode was sponsored by Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.comEpisode Links:Graphite Financial websiteDownload a free financial model template, chart of accounts template, and more herePaul’s LinkedInBrands mentioned: Plated, Brightland, Funky MelloShopify Links:Start a free trial and enjoy 2 months of Shopify for $1/monthPromomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyStrategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit hereShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

I don’t usually like to play favorites, but this week’s episode is a really special interview, especially for me personally. I LOVE kombucha. I mean love kombucha. And as you’ll hear me mention during the interview, once I found Synergy Kombucha by GT’s Living Foods, I was hooked, and dug deep into the story of the brand, how it’s made, and started following founder GT Dave. I’ve listened to many interviews with GT over the years, so the chance to be the interviewer and spend some time with GT, is a personal dream come true. I also really thought that GT could offer a really interesting perspective to our community. He’s had multiple offers to acquire his company over the years and has taken on no outside investment, which is incredible for a nearly billion dollar brand that owns 40% of the kombucha market. For almost 30 years, he’s operated as the 100% owner and as you’ll hear, has no plans for that to change. I think there’s room for so many different operating models and perspectives in this space, and part of the fun of my job is getting to share different perspectives, hoping that you’ll be able to find and take pieces that resonate with you as you build your own adventure. If you aren’t familiar with GT’s Living Foods, you’ve no doubt seen the ubiquitous tall glass bottles with a white lotus - the Synergy line is oven what people recognize. GT was the first person to bottle kombucha back in 1995 after his parents received a SCOBY from a friend after a trip to the Himalayas - and this was well before you could Google making kombucha! As you’ll hear GT mention, he saw kombucha become part of his parents’ lives, help his mom while recovering from cancer, and he decided to try to sell a few bottles to the local health store as 15 year old who had dropped out of high school. He then got the product into Erewhon and Whole Foods and has grown steadily - while other kombuchas have entered the market and now it’s a whole separate category. GT continues to innovate in the living foods space with ancient mushroom elixirs, non-dairy water kefir, and raw, fermented, non-dairy, coconut yogurt. I’ve linked a few of my favorite other interviews with GT in the show notes in case you want to dig into more of the founder story - today’s conversation we really focus on leadership, culture, hiring, and health and priorities as a founder.Listen in as GT shares about:How fermenting kombucha is similar to farming and how their manufacturing footprint has grownGT’s first hires and learnings and why he focuses on culture fitWhat it’s look like to grow a profitable business with no outside investmentWhy he’s taken a long-term view on building GT’s Living FoodsHis advice for starting new categories and educating consumersHow they manage a massive brand ambassador forceWhat health and wellness looks like day to day and his tips for prioritizing and the importance of communicating and setting expectations in relationships as a founderHow he manages being a public figure and why he’s chosen to be a visible face of the brandWe have some fun with questions about his love of animals and pets and halloweenAnd so much more!This episode was sponsored by Shopify. Go to shopify.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.comThis episode was sponsored by Promomash + Crisp. Go to promomash.com/startupcpgEpisode Links:GT’s Living Foods websiteGT’s LinkedInA few of Jessi’s favorite other interview’s with GT: Stick with Your Dreams Episode 26 (hosted by David Greenfeld another Startup CPG Podcast guest)John & Ken Show Hour 3 (12/28)The Gabby Reece Show: ****GT DAVE – MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ENTREPRENEUR WITH A MISSIONTaste Radio: GT DAVE HAS A REFRESHING TAKE ON HIS ICONIC BRANDVisiting the Kombucha LairShopify Links:Start a free trial and enjoy 2 months of Shopify for $1/monthStrategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit herePromomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

If you are in the CPG industry and active on LinkedIn, chances are you are familiar with the dynamic duo, Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny, co-hosts of the weekly podcast CPG Vibes. They have over 35 years of combined experience in the industry. Alex is the founder of Genius Juice and you also may know him from his other podcast, 15 Minutes of Genius. Wade is currently the VP of Center Store at The Fresh Market and has held buyer roles at a number of retailers including Jimbos, Rouses (rhymes with mouses), and Buehler Food Markets. For this second installment of our Buyer Series, I wanted to explore both the buyer and brand sides of the coin when it comes to best practices for working with retail buyers. Listen in as Alex and Wade share about:Research to do before submitting to a retailerConsiderations before sending samplesFollow up etiquette and how to be pleasantly persistent (a phrase we heard just a few weeks ago from Marlo at Partake about their partnership with Ben & Jerry’s)Tips for promotion planningConsiderations for working with regional and national distributorsAnd more!This episode was sponsored by Shopify. Go to shopify.com/startupcpgThis episode was sponsored by Promomash + Crisp. Go to promomash.com/startupcpgThis episode was sponsored by IFT. Go to iftevent.orgEpisode Links:CPG Vibes podcastGenius Juice website15 Minutes of Genius PodcastWade’s LinkedInAlex’s LinkedInShopify Links:Start a free trial and enjoy 2 months of Shopify for $1/monthPromomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websiteShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

Consumers are looking for more and more transparency into the sourcing and production of their products. We’ve had Social Nature on the show to talk about The Modern Wellness Consumer and the data backing their values based shopping, and I wanted to dig into the behind the scenes of a brand building a really transparent supply chain. Renee Dunn, Founder of Amazi, has been in the Startup CPG community from the beginning, and I’ve been following them for a couple of years. Amazi is on a mission to help people snack on purpose with their 100% made in Uganda tropical fruit snacks and are building a more sustainable and equitable supply chain. Earlier this year, the Amazi team posted a reel on Instagram with Joel, their Operations and Co-Production Manager based in Uganda, and I asked Renee if her and Joel would be willing to come on the show and talk about building their transparent supply chain and navigating an operation spanning two continents. Thankfully they both said yes and we had a great conversation that I’m excited to share today.Listen in as Renee & Joel share about:How Renee got started sourcing products from Uganda and when she met Joel to discuss building a facility and scalingThe process of building out a facility in UgandaHow Amazi worked with Sprouts to postpone their launch to support getting the facility openedWhat it looks like to work with local farmers and the process of bringing the fruit to the facilityHow the finished product journeys to the US and makes it to store shelvesTheir emerging work in private label and ingredient supplying to create more demand for products from the Uganda facility and farmsAnd more!Also a quick note that Joel’s audio can be a little tougher to hear at times due to the internet connection, but how cool is it that technology allows us to record podcasts with people across the world! I think you are going to find Joel’s perspective combined with Renee’s so helpful, so let’s dive in.This episode was sponsored by Shopify. Go to shopify.com/startupcpg.This episode was sponsored by IFT. Go to iftevent.org.This episode was sponsored by Promomash + Crisp. Go to promomash.com/startupcpg.Episode Links:Amazi website & IG @amazifoodsNegonja Organics websiteRenee’s LinkedInMeet Joel in this Instagram ReelShopify Links:Start a free trial and enjoy 2 months of Shopify for $1/monthIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websitePromomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

This week we’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes of all time, “Angel Investing 101.” This episode aired last November and while the fundraising landscape continues to shift and evolve, Marcia’s advice continues to ring true as a seasoned angel investor and an important member of the investing landscape. She’s actually wrapping up her tenure as the board of the Angel Capital Association because she’s been appointed to the US SEC, Securities & Exchange Commission, as a member of the Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, where she’ll continue to support entrepreneurs and how fundraising works. Marcia’s the kind of person you want to learn from and with the number of requests in the Startup CPG Slack I’ve been seeing around learning about angel investing, I thought it was time to once again share Marcia’s wisdom. We’re also migrating podcast hosting platforms, so you shouldn’t experience any interruptions to your listening experience, except that if you like to listen via web browser instead of a specific podcast app, there’s a new link you can use in the show notes. Please reach out to me with any questions at podcast@startupcpg.com and if you haven’t already, I’d so appreciate a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help us continue to grow the show. I hope you enjoy this conversation! You’ve all let me know that fundraising content is some of your favorite, so I thought I would bring my favorite angel investing expert on the show, Marcia Dawood, for a 101 level episode on angel investing. Marcia currently serves as the Chair of the Board of the Angel Capital Association, the professional society for angel investors in the US and globally. She is an investor in several early stage private companies, and in addition to her own investing, she is a Venture Partner with Mindshift Capital and a part of the investment committee for Next Wave Impact Fund. Marcia and I actually met at an Angel Capital Association event back when I worked in that industry and I’m so grateful we’ve been able to stay in touch and that I get to introduce you all to her today. I asked Marcia to help us understand angel investors and their motivations and I think she really delivered.Listen in as Marcia shares about:Definitions of an angel investor and angel groupsThe prerequisites to being an angel investor and how angel investors make returns and impactThe difference between crowdfunding and fundraising from angel investorsTips for deciding whether to seek outside investment from angel investorsInside the angel investor mindset and how to build your outreach and pitches to get the best responseThe function of a board of directors and the role of board membersResources for learning about angel investing and why you need a good startup attorneyHow to find and connect with angel investors and keep them up to date, whether they’ve invested already or notAnd more!And, stay tuned at the end for the first ever bonus segment - today featuring Startup CPG Shelfie Award winner, Uproot Teas (at minute 52:53). Marcia and I will share our reviews of Uproot mid-episode and then at the end of the episode, you can catch a mini-interview with Uproot Tea’s founder, Cindy, to learn more!This episode was sponsored by Promomash + Crisp. Go to promomash.com/startupcpgThis episode was sponsored by Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.comThis episode was sponsored by IFT. Go to iftevent.orgEpisode Links:Marcia’s website & LinkedInAngel Capital Association websiteMarcia’s Podcast: The Angel Next Door PodcastMarcia's TEDx Talk: Do Good While Doing WellResources mentioned by Marcia: Angel Funders ReportAngel Investor vs Venture Capitalist Rap Battle video by Marcia (a must watch!)Video tool: LoomBook: Build Your Board, Build Your Business by Barbara ClarkeNational Venture Capital Association Document LibraryStartEngine PlatformDemystifying Angel Investing:  An Introduction to the World of Startups Webinar LinkNext Wave Impact FundCoralus (formerly SheEO)Uproot Teas:Cindy's LinkedinUproot Teas website & IG @uproot.teasUse code STARTUPCPG for 10% off!Promomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyStrategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit hereIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websiteShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or

When you peruse Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors, do you ever think, “What would my flavor be if I were famous?” Maybe that’s just me, but perhaps you dream about your own brand one day collaborating with Ben & Jerry’s? This became a reality for Partake Foods, and when I saw the news, I wanted to know the behind the scenes of how a collaboration like this gets to market. Partake makes inclusive allergy-friendly snacks that give delicious peace of mind to those with dietary restrictions along with “How is this so good?!” enjoyment. Partake’s collaboration with Ben & Jerry’s all started with a cold email in 2020 from Marlo Giudice who was one of Partake’s 3 total team members at the time. Now their Ben & Jerry’s collaboration flavor, Oatmeal Dream Pie, launched this year and has been added to the Ben & Jerry’s evergreen lineup available nationwide in Target, Walgreens, and more retailers near you. Partake has also experienced other very impressive growth the past few years. Marlo is now Partake’s Vice President of Sales, Strategic Channels, there are nearly 20 people on the Partake team, and their cookies and snacks will be available in over 13,000 stores as of this July 2023.Listen in as Marlo shares about:Her career journey from culinary school to food brand founder to selling her food company to working with Partake FoodsThe story behind Marlo’s cold outreach to Ben & Jerry’s and her tips for reaching out to dream partnersThe process of working with Ben & Jerry’s R&D team to develop the final flavorHow Partake had to become an ingredient supplier to support the collaborationTips for being a great partner as an emerging brandPartake’s strategy around the foodservice channelHow to be “pleasantly persistent” and stay organized in your outreachAnd more!Episode Links:Partake website, InstagramMarlo’s LinkedInFind the Ben & Jerry's flavor near youShopify Links:Start a free trial and enjoy 2 months of Shopify for $1/monthSocial Nature Links:Social Nature websiteSocial Nature team email: marketing@socialnature.comLearn from & get to know the Social Nature team: Episode #87 How Natural Shoppers are Responding to Inflation with Social Nature's Jessica MalachEpisode #50 The Data Behind the Modern Wellness Consumer with Social Nature's Jessica MalachOverview of Digital Sampling with Social Nature founder Annalea KrebsEpisodes that mention Social Nature campaigns: Episode #66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge (Social Nature discussed at 41:15)Episode #86 From Target Buyer to Nationally Launching Upcycled Pet Brand Shameless Pets with James Bello (Social Nature discussed at 37:33)Strategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit hereShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

Are you ready to hear from the world’s first and tastiest refrigerated, plant-based marshmallow creme? I have been full stop obsessed with Funky Mello since discovering them through the Shelfie Awards last year after they won and we did a short minisode with co-founder Delisa Harper last year (that I also recommend listening to) where I loved hearing more about their story. Today I’m so excited that we get a full episode with Delisa to dive into the world of Funky Mello. At Expo West, Delisa and Zach shared Funky Mello as a Backpack Brand at the Alley Rally event and were in the top crowd favorites (for good reason), so it was amazing to meet in person. They gave me some mini cremes to take home, which were the perfect size for making fluffernutter sandwiches, and now, I can’t stop making them. If you haven’t made a fluffernutter sandwich, it’s peanut butter (or the butter of your choice) plus marshmallow creme, and I also like to add a little tbh hazelnut spread, which is another past podcast guest. I think you’ll notice that my love of marshmallows really comes through in this episode.Listen in as Delisa shares about:Founding Funky Mello with her husband Zach six months into datingParticipating in accelerator programs and launching in Whole FoodsTheir holiday rollout with Sprouts and what they learnedWhat it’s like to self-manufactureHow they are exploring the foodservice channelBehind the scenes of their new Dippsterz productTheir social media and events strategiesWhat it’s like to work with your spouseAnd more!Episode Links:Funky Mello website, IG @funky_mello, and TikTok @funkymelloDelisa’s LinkedInListen to our minisode with Funky Mello in episode #73 In-Store Demos 101: Building a Successful Demo Program (+ Funky Mello) at 56:12Brands mentioned: tbh, Shameless PetsFood Entrepreneur article where Delisa and Zach mention being the “Willy Wonkas of marshmallows”Brands mentioned: tbh, SKU, Naturally Austin, Shameless Pets, FitJoyStrategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit hereIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websiteSocial Nature Links:Social Nature websiteSocial Nature team email: marketing@socialnature.comLearn from & get to know the Social Nature team: Episode #87 How Natural Shoppers are Responding to Inflation with Social Nature's Jessica MalachEpisode #50 The Data Behind the Modern Wellness Consumer with Social Nature's Jessica MalachOverview of Digital Sampling with Social Nature founder Annalea KrebsEpisodes that mention Social Nature campaigns: Episode #66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge (Social Nature discussed at 41:15)Episode #86 From Target Buyer to Nationally Launching Upcycled Pet Brand Shameless Pets with James Bello (Social Nature discussed at 37:33)Show Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

This is the first episode in our new buyers series and today we’re joined by Mitch Orland, VP of Merchandising and Procurement at Earth Fare. Earth Fare is a health and wellness supermarket with 20 locations in 8 states in the Southeast US. Mitch has deep food industry experience including being a restaurant owner and former Executive Chef at Earth Fare, and he now manages a 15 person merchandising team at Earth Fare.Listen in as Mitch shares about:How Earth Fare’s product submission process including category reviewsBest practices for engaging with buyers from email content to timing follow upHow brokers add value for buyersDifferent models of distributing to Earth Fare from self-service to local distributors to UNFIBest practices for promoting with Earth Fare, educating employees, and in-store demosHow and when a brand’s on-shelf performance is evaluated by the Earth Fare teamIndustry trendsAnd more!And stay tuned at the end for a story from Startup CPG founder Daniel Scharff about recently getting into Earth Fare with Machu Picchu - and thanks for Mitch for that great idea - he wanted you all to also hear from a brand that recently worked with Earth Fare, which I found really helpful. Now let’s hear from Mitch!Episode Links:Earth Fare websiteMitch’s LinkedInBrands mentioned: Hickory Nut Gap, Sunburst Trout Farms, JAMBAR, Upcycled Food Association, Force of NatureSocial Nature Links:Social Nature websiteSocial Nature team email: marketing@socialnature.comLearn from & get to know the Social Nature team: Episode #87 How Natural Shoppers are Responding to Inflation with Social Nature's Jessica MalachEpisode #50 The Data Behind the Modern Wellness Consumer with Social Nature's Jessica MalachOverview of Digital Sampling with Social Nature founder Annalea KrebsEpisodes that mention Social Nature campaigns: Episode #66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge (Social Nature discussed at 41:15)Episode #86 From Target Buyer to Nationally Launching Upcycled Pet Brand Shameless Pets with James Bello (Social Nature discussed at 37:33)Promomash/Crisp Links:Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days hereWebinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo AnalyticsWebinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and WhyIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websiteShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

Today we have a bonus episode that actually pairs with this week’s earlier episode on packaging and design with Kirk and Andy. Kirk and Andy unboxed ASWM Sauce and gave their reviews, and so now, we get to hear from AWSM sauce co-founder and Lord of Sauces Carl Starkey himself. AWSM Sauce won a Shelfie Award last year and was a backpack brand at Expo East. Carl & I recorded this episode at the end of 2022 and have some great laughs - warning though, there are puns ahead.Listen in as Carl shares about how AWSM Sauce got started, how they are pivoting into foodservice, their experience participating in Techstars, Carl’s legendary 3 day Clubhouse bender, the behind the scenes of developing a powdered sauce, why started a podcast to get into Expo West didn’t work (but you should still listen to the Ketchup & Hustle podcast), what’s up next for AWSM Sauce, and more.Episode Links:AWSM Sauce website & Amazon storeCarl’s LinkedInPairs with episode #89 Packaging Design & Printing 101 - AWSM Sauce review at minute 44:29Ketchup & Hustle PodcastShow Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics