This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to hummingbirds.com/startupCPG This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Grassroots Marketing. Schedule a call at https://calendly.com/grassrootsmarketing/grassroots-x-startupcpg-intro-call) In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Mott Smith, co-founder of Amped Kitchens and a Startup CPG partner. Together, they delve into the benefits of utilizing commercial kitchens for small food businesses, emphasizing regulatory compliance, control, and flexibility in manufactu ..read more

Join Grace Kennedy as she delves into the world of healthy vegetarian delights with Aman Blana, the founder of Growee Foods, in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast. Aman shares the journey behind Growee Foods, inspired by his Indian heritage and a quest for fresh, plant-based options in the US. From battling the challenges of working with co-packers to navigating distribution channels, Aman reveals how mentor communities like Startup CPG have been pivotal in guiding his path. Discover Aman's innovative marketing strategies, including engaging farmers market demos and strategic brand ..read more

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, join Daniel Scharff as he dives into the world of foodservice with Lizz Ingrassia and Allie Cotter of Fresh Time Market. Delving into their journey from restaurant dining to packaged retail meals, Liz and Allie share their expertise on the importance of flavor, customer-centricity, and understanding consumer needs in product selection. With foodservice comprising a significant portion of store sales, they discuss the role of branded and non branded items and much more. Discover the challenges and triumphs of launching new products smoothly, working ..read more

Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast together with Cory Hebert from Cin7 and Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, as they illuminate the challenges faced by startups during product launches and emphasize the importance of accurate data entry to prevent financial losses and share invaluable insights on leveraging Inventory Management Systems (IMS) to streamline processes efficiently. Discover practical strategies for reconciling orders with available inventory, optimizing payment terms, and managing cash flow challenges. Learn from real-wo ..read more

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, originally recorded as a webinar, join Daniel Scharff together with Jonny Price and James Reina as they talk through community fundraising and crowdsourcing with Jonny from Wefunder and James Reina from Jibby Coffee who recently completed a raise. Discover why community rounds matter, how to handle financial disclosures, and the smart way to tailor your fundraising approach. James shares real-world insights from a winning campaign, stressing the importance of doing your homework, building relationships, and engaging your audience effectively. L ..read more

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Rich Gilmore, the VP of Center Store at Gelson's. Together, they delve into the dynamic world of indie retail in Southern California and explore how Gelson's stands out as a trendsetter by curating innovative brands that embody the quintessential Californian lifestyle. Rich shares valuable insights on prioritizing high-quality products, navigating the influx of brand invitations, and the delicate balance between data-driven analytics and instinctive choices for successful product launches. Learn about the importance of br ..read more

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, join Grace Kennedy together with Lauryn Bodden, the founder of S’noods as they delve into the captivating origin story of S’noods, the innovative noodle chips taking the snack world by storm.  Lauryn shares her journey from winning a Netflix cooking competition to launching her brand, securing partnerships with major retailers, and winning a coveted booth at Expo West 2025.  Gain valuable insights about finding the right partners and overcoming obstacles in the competitive CPG industry as Lauryn navigated the challenges of product d ..read more

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, join Daniel Scharff together with Eric Wu and Adam Yee, the founders of Sobo Foods, as they share their journey of creating plant-based Asian American frozen dumplings. Explore Adam and Eric’s approach, rooted in years of entrepreneurship experience, critical industry connections, and strategic branding to position their products as nutrient-dense comfort foods appealing to a wide consumer base. Delve into the evolving diet choices in the US, with Asian Americans leading trends in veganism and vegetarianism, and how Sobo Foods emphasizes a balanced ..read more

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Vanessa White, CEO of Jaju Pierogi. Together, they trace the remarkable journey of Jaju Pierogi, from crafting handcrafted delicacies to securing shelf space in 2000 stores nationwide. Vanessa shares insights into the challenges of competing with established brands while maintaining authenticity and unveils their ingenious marketing approach focused on engaging content and community connection.  Learn about navigating distribution partnerships, from regional distributors to national giants like UNFI and KeHE, and dis ..read more

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff, together with Peggy Shell, the founder of Creative Alignments delve into the challenges faced by startups in traditional recruiting models and the innovative time-based recruiting approach pioneered by Creative Alignments. Peggy shares insights on the drawbacks of percentage-based fee structures, emphasizing the importance of aligning company values, culture, and compensation for sustainable growth. Uncover the secrets of DIY recruiting for startups, including strategic decision-making points, behavioral-based interview questions, an ..read more