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

Join Daniel Scharff and team—Patricia Menegoto, Kiki Huddleston, and Grace Kennedy—in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast as they delve into the vibrant world of natural products at Expo West 2024. They share their experiences, observations, and opinions on the latest trends dominating the industry. From the gummification of products to the rise of natural sweeteners and the prevalence of protein-infused items, they dissect the key themes shaping the market. Get ready to discover standout brands that caught their attention, explore innovative booth setups, and hear about their engaging in ..read more

We are just as excited as you are to share the second part of Jamie Valenti Jordan’s episode –  How to Make and Scale Your Product. In this episode, Daniel Scharff and Jamie Valenti-Jordan take a deep dive into the intricate process of finding and collaborating with contract manufacturers (Comans) for startups in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) realm. From sourcing to negotiation, production runs to quality assurance, they unravel the complexities and challenges inherent in the CPG production landscape.  Discover valuable insights on building relationships, fostering transparency ..read more

Join Daniel Scharff and Patricia Menegoto in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, where they chat with Maurizio Rasti and Saphira Rasti, the dynamic founders of Nowhere Bakery. Discover their captivating journey from the fashion and modeling industry to crafting healthy baked goods, focusing on gluten-free offerings and noteworthy partnerships with Gwyneth Paltrow. Get the inside scoop on Nowhere Bakery's Shark Tank experience, from filming multiple episodes daily to managing the surge in demand post-airing. The founders share insights into their meticulous Shark Tank application pr ..read more