Nick Mindel, a partner with Amberstone, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on mid-stage investments in fast-growing consumer brands, shared specific details about each of its funding deals of the past 12 months, how trends influence the way the firm evaluates investment opportunities, financial metrics that will make or break a company and why Amberstone will continue to invest in consumer brands despite widespread concerns of economic slowdown.

David Greenfeld, the founder and CEO of better-for-you frozen novelty and candy brand Dream Pops, spoke about the duality of marketing indulgent food made with healthier ingredients, leveraging the brand’s flagship popsicles as a springboard into shelf-stable products, why every CPG company needs to also be a “content company,” and why consistency is the most important aspect of Dream Pops’ social media strategy.

In this episode of Taste Radio, the hosts discussed YouTube sensation Emma Chamberlain’s foray into the coffee business as the founder of Chamberlain Coffee, the surprising news that Haus, a promising brand of low-ABV aperitifs, is shutting down and the launch of Coca-Cola Dreamworld. This episode also features the latest installment of The Maxi Minutes, in which LDR Ventures co-founder Maxine Kozler Koven offered tips on how to get current investors to join subsequent funding rounds.

Jen Liao, the co-founder of XCJ, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer frozen food brand inspired by Chinese street cuisine, spoke about how rapid planning and thoughtful execution have paid massive dividends in the company’s development, why self-manufacturing was the only path forward and how XCJ is managing multiple business divisions while continuing to grow and maintain quality standards.

Charles Joly, an acclaimed mixologist and co-founder of pioneering RTD cocktail maker Crafthouse Cocktails, discussed how the brand has distinguished itself via quality, consistency and variety, the impact of his experience and reputation in its development and how focusing on taste helped establish and cement the company’s relationships with retail buyers.