In this episode, we discuss retail strategies with the entrepreneurs behind two innovative companies -- Pete Maldonado, the co-founder of fast-growing meat stick brand Chomps, and Paul Evers and Steve Barham, the co-founders of upstart coffee brand Riff Cold Brewed -- who open up the playbook on everything from Trader Joe’s to tap rooms.
Queen City Hemp, a Cincinnati-based company that produces hemp based products, recently released their first beverage: CBD Seltzer, an unsweetened flavored sparkling water that is available in four flavors and contains 5 mg of CBD per can.
Since GT’s was the brand that created the kombucha category in the first place, it seems only appropriate for its Classic Gold to be the first alcoholic kombucha product to be reviewed on BevNET.
Ryan Armistead, the co-founder and CEO of Happy Moose Juice, is on a mission to make the best juice in the world, using a variety of beloved and unique ingredients. Armistead works directly with farmers to co-pack the freshest produce, providing a premium and organic cold-pressed product straight from the farm.
Tofurky CEO Jaime Athos discussed the origins of the plant-based meat brand and how it has evolved over its nearly four decades on the market. Athos also spoke about current challenges in the plant-based meat category/market, executing and learning from a brand revamp, the reason that Tofurky has resisted acquisition offers and why he believes that plant-based ham has to taste great, but doesn’t have to taste exactly like... ham.
Eslena is a line of USDA Organic certified still flavored waters that are unsweetened and contain under 10 calories per bottle. The products are flavored with real ingredients, including fruit puree or juice and a touch of sea salt.
From artisanal foods to craft spirits, this episode explores the evolving landscape for speciality food and distilled beverages. Rabobank’s Steven Rannekleiv discussed the emerging market for craft spirits and how the the investment community is evaluating the space. Specialty Food Association President Phil Kafarakis spoke about how specialty food has evolved in recent years and the ingredients and formulations that are shaping the future of the industry.
Brooke Rewa, the founder of Good Mylk Co., is on a mission to make clean ingredient, plant-based milk alternatives available to a wider audience. The brand has developed a frozen concentrate and powder that allow both baristas and consumers to make almond and hemp-based milks by just adding water.
Stillhouse founder/CEO Brad Beckerman discussed the early challenges, pivots and risks along the brand’s journey. He also spoke about his background in entrepreneurship, parallels between his previous career experience in sports and music apparel and current role, and how country music legend Johnny Cash factored into a partnership with popular rapper G-Eazy.
Genius, which is a USDA Organic certified coconut smoothie, recently extended its line to include two new flavors: Coconut and Turmeric.
In this clip, Doug Radi, president and CEO of Good Karma; Sharon Kieffer, managing partner of 2x Consumer Product Growth Partners; and Alex Jacobs, VP of corporate development and strategy at Dean Foods, sat down with BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman to breakdown the mechanics of the deal between Dean and Good Karma.
In this episode, nutpods founder/CEO Madeline Haydon explained how she laid the groundwork for a thriving DTC business and why focusing on high quality customer service has anchored the brand’s ecommerce strategy. Also, an interview with social media maven Nicole Cogan who spoke about best practices for sponsored social campaigns and how influencer marketing has evolved in recent years.
Culinary-forward sparkling shrub maker Fizzy Fox is focused on delivering healthy and fun products with an emphasis on craft. Co-founder Natalia Farhadmotamed and her business partner launched the line in May of 2018 and are looking to grow the company and expand distribution.
HopTea, winner of New Beverage Showdown 16 at BevNET Live Winter 2018, is a line of zero calorie non-alcoholic hop-infused “tea” drinks that feature hops as the primary flavor ingredient.
