Startup To Scale

Retail accounting gets complicated fast. Between distributors, retailers, promotions, deductions, and short payments, many CPG brands find themselves with accounts receivable reports they can’t trust and financial statements that don’t tell the whole story. In this episode, Jenna Oviedo from JAVE Insights shares the systems every CPG brand should have in place to manage retail accounts receivable from day one. We discuss: Building the right chart of accountsRecording deductions correctlyApply...

In this episode, I sit down with Gardar Stefansson, Founder and CEO of GOOD GOOD, to talk about how he grew an Icelandic startup into a global no-sugar brand now sold at retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, and H-E-B. We talk about finding product-market fit, competing with legacy brands through taste and better ingredients, the realities of scaling in U.S. retail, and how GOOD GOOD is using AI to make smarter decisions. Gardar also shares practical advice for CPG founders on testing ...

Most creator marketing campaigns fail because they’re treated like isolated marketing tactics instead of long-term growth strategies. Austin Clare has spent the past 15 years helping brands build creator programs that consistently generate content, drive awareness, and support retail growth. As founder of Shepard Strategies and now leading creator strategy at Endlss, he’s worked with brands across every stage of growth to develop systems that deliver results beyond a single campaign. In this ...

Packaging is one of the most important sales tools a CPG brand has. But the packaging that gets you started isn’t always the packaging that will help you scale. In this episode, I’m joined by Eve Ackerley, Co-Founder and CEO of Evie’s Snacks, and Taja Dockendorf, Founder of Pulp & Wire, the design agency behind Evie’s packaging redesign. We explore the evolution of Evie’s packaging, including moments when the original design created confusion about the product, and what ultimately led Eve...

Getting your product on the shelf is only the first step. The real challenge is getting shoppers to notice it, try it, and buy it. In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Kubick of Local Demo Service to break down how CPG brands can use in-store demos to drive sales, learn from customers, and build stronger retail velocity. We talk about Matthew’s simple four-step framework for turning samples into purchases, why founders should do their own demos early on, and how your strategy should cha...