|
Subscribe to and rate Taste Radio on your favorite Podcast platform: |
||||
 |
 |
|||
Nicole Ledoux, co-founder & CEO of seed-based food company 88 Acres, spoke about the thoughtful process of scaling from a local to national brand, why she credits in-house production as a significant competitive advantage and how a successful Kickstarter campaign provided the foundation for the brand’s retail launch and successive fundraising initiatives.
Carlton Fowler, managing partner of venture capital firm Goat Rodeo Capital, discussed his strategy for investing in brands with a unique consumer proposition or go-to-market strategy, explained why he’s bearish on alcohol-free beverage alternatives and how he evaluates the opportunity for cannabis-based drinks amid an uncertain regulatory environment.
Paul Feig, the Hollywood director and producer behind blockbuster comedy “Bridesmaids,” sat down with us to discuss his latest project, Artingstall’s Gin. Feig spoke about how his personality is incorporated into the brand, why he compares the business of distilled spirits to that of directing a movie and his ultimate goal for Artingstall’s.
Jeanne David, founder & CEO, Outer Aisle spoke about how being early on several current food trends helped the brand land its first major retailer, why the company aims to “revolutionize” a legacy food category, why she decided not to outsource manufacturing and why she urges entrepreneurs to use experienced advisors during a fundraising process.
Veteran food industry insider, trendsetter and entrepreneur Errol Schweizer explained how systemic racism, labor inequality and outdated cannabis laws are affecting the food and beverage industry, and how he is attempting to motivate action and change via his new podcast, “The Checkout.”
Jason Barrett, founder & CEO of craft spirits producer Black Button Distilling, spoke about how a stint in small business consulting impacted his vision for the company, why he didn’t seek outside capital to launch Black Button and why he credits an effective systems management strategy as the key reason that spirits conglomerate Constellation Brands invested in the distillery.
Joseph Carr, founder of top-selling wine brand Josh Cellars, spoke about how diligence and self-education were critical in turning his passion into a career and why he left a lucrative job to launch his own company. He also explained how he defines hard work and how Josh Cellars has articulated a positioning that is both premium and accessible.
Mark Samuel, founder & CEO of protein-centric snack company IWON Organics, spoke what he defines as the brand’s “why,” the most effective ways to engage with his audience of 20,000-plus followers on LinkedIn, how he incorporates both confidence and vulnerability in his content and why patience is a virtue, especially after hearing the word “no.”
Veteran beverage entrepreneur CJ Rapp, the founder of Karma Water and cult cola brand Jolt, spoke about why he defines himself as a “marketer,” the key lesson learned from launching several ahead-of-their-time beverages and what he believes to be the guiding path for any entrepreneur.
Dave Colina, founder & CEO of natural sports recovery brand O2, spoke about how the company’s decisions over the past five years prepared it to meet the challenges and opportunities of the last five months, how the brand achieved record sales numbers while donating 50% of profits to independent gym owners affected by COVID-19 and why he believes that entrepreneurship is as much about personal growth as building a successful brand.