The Startup CPG Podcast

Jan 21 2025 244 ep. 44 mins 47
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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#179 - Bootstrap Heroes: Hazard's Hop Water, SWAIR, Gourmend Foods

Jan 21 2025 33 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the strategies and challenges of bootstrapping with three inspiring founders who have transformed bold ideas into thriving businesses—all without outside funding.Ryan Hansen, co-founder of Hazards Hop Water, shares how he scaled a six-figure non-alcoholic beverage brand by targeting unique markets and forging k

Founder Feature: Becca Wright of Piedmont Pennies

Jan 17 2025 36 mins  
In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Becca Wright, the founder of Piedmont Pennies, to discuss the journey of turning a cherished family recipe into a thriving business. Becca shares the story behind her signature bite-sized cheesy biscuit crackers, inspired by her granddad’s recipe from North Carolina, and how she transitioned from corporate A

#178 - Buyer Spotlight: Sean Goldsmith, The Zero Proof (DTC Non-Alc Retail)

Jan 14 2025 37 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Sean Goldsmith, co-founder of The Zero Proof, the largest online direct-to-consumer retailer of adult non-alcoholic beverages. Sean shares insights into the booming non-alcoholic beverage market, exploring trends like Dry January, the rise of wellness-driven consumer habits, and the intersection of non-alcoho

Founder Feature: Nikki Seaman of Freestyle Snacks

Jan 10 2025 29 mins  
In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy welcomes Nikki Seaman, founder and CEO of Freestyle Snacks, to discuss the journey behind reimagining olives as a premium, convenient snack. Nikki shares her inspiration for launching Freestyle Snacks during the pandemic, identifying a gap in the market for fresh, flavorful olives packaged for modern, on-the-go lifestyles.Fr

#177 - Finding Your Co-Man: Lance Schwarzkopf of Copack

Jan 07 2025 56 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff and Lance Schwarzkopf take us behind the scenes of launching a food or beverage product. They break down the complexities of working with contract manufacturers, or "co-mans," to transform a concept into a market-ready product. Daniel and Lance share essential steps for emerging brands, from developing and protecting propri

Founder Feature: Val Emanuel of Rif Care

Jan 03 2025 37 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Val Emanuel, the inspiring co-founder of Rif Care, a two-year-old feminine care brand that prioritizes sustainability and wellness. Val shares the journey behind Rif Care's creation, from identifying gaps in the market for elevated, eco-friendly period products to overcoming challenges in manufacturing and sca

#176 - Startup CPG’s 2024 Year in Review

Dec 30 2024 49 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Patricia Menegoto, Head of Marketing and Community at Startup CPG, to reflect on a transformative year for the community and discuss ambitious plans for the future. Together, they recount the milestones of 2024, from hosting dedicated sections at trade shows, events in 17+ cities, building partnerships such a

Founder Feature: Spencer Hoddeson, Gay Water

Dec 27 2024 40 mins  
In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Spencer Hoddeson, the CEO of Gay Water. They delve into the inspiration behind creating Gay Water, a mission-driven brand that is aiming to increase representation for the queer community in the alcohol space. With a rich background in media and tech, Spencer shares his journey of developing Gay Water, h

#175 - E-Comm Wizards: David Fudge of Aplós

Dec 24 2024 58 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with David Fudge, co-founder of Aplós, to discuss the journey of building a premium non-alcoholic spirits brand. David shares insights from his time leading brand at Bonobos, where he helped pioneer the direct-to-consumer model, and how those experiences informed his approach to creating Aplós—a brand redefini

Founder Feature: Joseph Rotondo of Smearcase

Dec 20 2024 38 mins  
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Joseph Rotondo, founder & CEO of Smearcase, the innovative brand behind the world’s first frozen cottage cheese. Joseph recounts his journey from a post-workout craving to the creation of a protein-packed dessert that’s disrupting the traditional ice cream market.Joseph shares his insights into buildin