The Startup CPG Podcast

Mar 07 2025 260 ep. 44 mins 48
The Startup CPG Podcast artwork

The top CPG podcast in the world, highlighting stories from founders, buyer spotlights, highly practical industry insights - all to give you a better chance at success.

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Founder Feature: Ranwei Chiang of Abstinence Spirits

Mar 07 2025 34 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Ranwei Chiang, the CEO and owner of Abstinence Spirits, a brand redefining non-alcoholic beverages with bold flavors and sophisticated botanical blends. Ranwei shares the inspiring journey behind Abstinence Spirits, from its roots in South Africa’s Cape Floral Kingdom to its expansion in the U.S. market.They

#185 - Commercial Kitchen vs. Co-Man: Where to Make Your First $1M of Product

Mar 04 2025 56 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Mott Smith, co-founder and CEO of Amped Kitchens, and Jaime Valenti-Jordan of Catapult Commercialization Services, to break down one of the biggest decisions early-stage food brands face: Should you produce in a commercial kitchen or work with a co-manufacturer (Co-man)? They discuss the pros and cons of each a

Founder Feature: Philip Teverow of Yolélé

Feb 28 2025 33 mins  
In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Philip Teverow, co-founder of Yolélé, an African food brand bringing Fonio, a gluten-free ancient grain, to the U.S. market. Philip shares the inspiring story of how he and his business partner, Chef Pierre Thiam, embarked on a mission to introduce African flavors to a wider audience while supporting West Af

BONUS: Winter Fancy Food Show Recap

Feb 26 2025 40 mins  
In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Patricia Menegoto and Kiki Huddleston from the Startup CPG team, as well as Brendan Cravitz from Azabu x Meatless Future and Maxi Heidenblut from Häppy Candy, to recap the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas.The team shares behind-the-scenes insights on what made Startup CPG's section a must-visit for re

#184 -Distributor Spotlight: Karen Slusher of Azure Standard

Feb 25 2025 45 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Karen Slusher, Chief Experience Officer of Azure Standard, to explore how this unique distributor is transforming the CPG industry. Karen shares Azure's mission-driven approach to supporting emerging and independent brands, with a focus on sustainability, transparency, and innovative distribution models like

Founder Feature: Akua Boakye Okunseinde of Karité

Feb 21 2025 40 mins  
In this episode of Startup CPG, Grace Kennedy sits down with Akua Boakye Okunseinde, one of the co-founders of Karité, a skincare brand rooted in the power of shea butter. Akua shares the inspiring story of how she and her two sisters—each with distinct professional backgrounds—came together to build a brand that blends Ghanaian heritage with dermatologist-backed skincare.Akua

#183 - How AI is Helping CPG Brands with Lentiful and FocusFuel

Feb 18 2025 45 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Daniel Herz, co-founder and CEO of FocusFuel, and Ben Bacon, founder of Lentiful, to dive into how AI is transforming the way brands operate, market, and grow in the CPG space.Ben shares how AI tools like Claude have revolutionized his email marketing, product development, and even customer insights, helping

Founder Feature: Breanna and Jared Golestani of Kokada

Feb 14 2025 41 mins  
In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Breanna and Jared Golestani, the co-founders of Kokada, to discuss their journey from a kitchen experiment during the pandemic to launching a nationally distributed brand. As a husband-and-wife duo, they share how their love for food (and each other) led to the creation of their delicious coconut-based spreads

BONUS: 2025 Shelfie Awards are Here!

Feb 12 2025 36 mins  
In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Patricia Menegoto and Kiki Huddleston from the Startup CPG team to dive deep into The Shelfie Awards, the biggest free awards program for emerging CPG brands. Now in its fifth year, the Shelfies offer small brands valuable visibility, credibility, and connections with retailers & media.They break down

#182 - Rewind: How to Crush Expo West

Feb 10 2025 56 mins  
Let’s rewind, refresh, and get you ready for this year’s Expo West! 🎉 This episode originally aired in February 2024, but trust us—the insights are still absolute gold. Step into the vibrant world of Expo West in this episode of the Startup CPG podcast where Daniel Scharff is joined by startup CPG sales legends Matt Levine from Chlorophyll Water, Clara Paye from Unite Food