Food Founders® Podcast

Focusing on the wrong things in your business is costing you time and money. Inside this episode I share 3 frameworks to maximize your time so you can spend your energy on what actually matters in your business. Want to optimize your business for growth? Join the Simplify & Sell priority list and be the first to know when enrolment opens. www.simplifycpg.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you losing sales every time people come to your website? In this episode Ainsley dives into 3 of the biggest website mistakes that are costing you sales. Tweaking these 3 pieces not only will get you more customers, it will help drive a higher cart value from the people buying from your site already. Stop leaving money on the table and start making your business grow faster and easier. Want to optimize your business for growth? Join the Simplify & Sell priority list and be the first to know when enrolment opens. www.simplifycpg.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're trying to fix your growth problems by just doing more, you're missing out on the easiest way to grow your business. In this episode I share how to accelerate your growth without just doing more. By focusing in on this one thing, you'll be doing what the most successful brands do and will not only grow your sales, but save yourself time too. Want to optimize your business for growth? Join the Simplify & Sell Priority Waitlist and be the first to know when enrolment opens. www.simplifycpg.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Brady didn’t set out to build a company, she just wanted to make the crackers she missed from home. But what began as a solo kitchen project soon snowballed into something much bigger.In this episode food founder Rebecca, owner of Top Seedz shares the real, unfiltered journey from doing everything herself to leading a team of 70, many of them refugees from around the world. It’s a story of grit, growth, and the magic that happens when you stop trying to do it all alone.We dive into:💪 Why her first hire changed everything🌍 Building a multicultural team through Journey’s End📈 Scaling from farmer’s markets to Whole Foods🧠 How mindset shifts fueled massive growth💬 The power of asking for help and saying yes before you’re readyIf you’ve ever felt stuck in solo mode, this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to carry it all. Growth comes from connection, not control.Check out Top Seeds here https://topseedz.com/Download the Profitable Product Scorecard here https://bit.ly/3D8O4syWant support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a life-threatening pregnancy condition left Amy Upchurch fighting for her life, she didn't just survive—she revolutionized women's wellness.In this powerful conversation, Amy reveals how her darkest moments birthed Pink Stork, now a multi-million dollar empire built on truly hearing women's needs. Her "Customer Obsession" approach has created the kind of fierce loyalty most founders only dream of. For those questioning if purpose and profit can coexist, Amy offers a masterclass in translating personal pain into meaningful impact. She candidly shares how she balances six children with explosive business growth, and why vulnerability became her strongest asset.Whether you're building a brand from scratch or seeking deeper connection with your customers, this episode gives you the fuel and framework to transform you're looking for. Check out Pink Stork here - https://pinkstork.com/Download the Profitable Product Scorecard here https://bit.ly/3D8O4syWant support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food founder Gregory Vetter shares the raw, unfiltered story behind Tessemae's salad dressing- an idea sparked by stolen dressing to becoming a national brand that pioneered the clean eating movement to the eventual business challenges that tested his resolve.Key takeaways you'll walk away from the episode with:Practical strategies for questioning and reinventing industry "standards" that everyone else acceptsA proven framework for staying directly connected to customers (hint: it's not focus groups)How to implement a "Most Important Goal" system that aligns your entire team and drives growthCritical insights on investor relationships and what Greg would do differentlyReal-world wisdom on balancing innovation with operational excellenceWhether you're launching a food brand, scaling your CPG company, or simply need the courage to challenge conventional wisdom in your industry, Greg's candid account provides both inspiration and practical tools to navigate your own entrepreneurial journey. His lessons come from both spectacular successes and painful setbacks—making this episode essential listening for anyone building something meaningful against the odds.Grab Greg's book Undressed: The Unfiltered Story of My Failed American Dream and How It Led to Success Download the Profitable Product Scorecard here https://bit.ly/3D8O4syWant support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ainsley dives into three overlooked areas where food and drink brands are leaving money on the table—and how simple tweaks can unlock hidden profits. From post-purchase flows that drive repeat sales, to optimizing your online listings, to SKU prioritization that boosts margins, Ainsley walks you through real-life examples of brands making more with what they already have. If you’re ready to work smarter, not harder, this episode is for you.Download the Profitable Product Scorecard here https://bit.ly/3D8O4syWant support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food founders Eli & Grace of Absurd Snacks share their journey in creating a new line of nut-free and allergy-friendly trail mix. They share how a university class fueled the creation of Absurd Snacks, which was inspired to address the serious food allergies of a fellow classmate. Eli and Grace discuss the challenges they faced such as finding ingredients free from allergens and managing the production process. They touch on their use of social media platforms to build community and spread the word about their product.Learn more about Absurd Snacks here: https://absurdsnacks.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear how food founder Sandrew from Neeva Shaker Cereal, a high protein full flavor cereal brand went from idea to a growing D2C brand with 80+ retail locations and growing across the country in the last 18 months. Sandrew shares how he initially pitched the product to gym members, gradually expanded into local supplement stores, and eventually attracted a wider audience with the help of mom influencers. He talks about the struggles and triumphs of starting a business and managing its growth with a. young family and another business to run and how he landed an audition on Dragon's Den for his Shaker Cereal.Learn more about Neeva here: https://neevasnacks.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're talking with Angela Vranich, the brains behind Little Spoon, as she takes us on an exciting journey of redefining children's nutrition. Join us as Angela shares the story of creating a brand that not only fills tummies but also warms hearts. Learn how Little Spoon's innovative approach, from fresh baby food to the recent Biteables launch has become a game-changer for parents seeking wholesome options. Hear how Little Spoon's DTC approach helped them grow quickly, build relationships with their customers, and how filling gaps in the market allows them to keep their customers coming back longer.Learn more about Little Spoon here: https://www.littlespoon.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: wwww.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear why Top Note has leaned in on getting awards of recognition to help drive the focused growth of its Tonic Water brand. Mary and Ainsley dive into building a premium brand and what to focus on when building a brand good enough for Michelin Star restaurants, premium bars and discerning audiences. Celebrate National Gin & Tonic Day by tuning in and hear how this tonic brand is elevating the industry.Learn more about Top Note here: https://store.topnotetonic.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ainsley sits down with Marilyn Yang, the food founder of Popadelics, as they dive into the strategies that led to the growth of the industries hottest mushroom chip. Marilyn shares her insights on tapping into macro trends, focusing on high returns, and making informed investments to help drive your chances of success in the food industry. Discover the do's and don'ts directly from Marilyn's experiences, providing valuable guidance for entrepreneurs navigating the competitive world of food entrepreneurship.Learn more about Popadelics here: https://popadelics.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as we talk to Todd Goldstein, the food founder of Whoa! Dough, and explore the secrets behind his business success using omnichannel strategies. Todd shares insights into the importance of aligning brand values, listening to customer feedback, and the incredible journey of turning Whoa! Dough into a thriving business. Discover the keys to mastering omnichannel approaches and gain inspiration from Todd's entrepreneurial journey in the competitive food industry.Learn more about Whoa! Dough here: https://www.whoadough.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Nikki Seaman, food founder of Freestyle Snacks shares her experience reimagining the beloved olive industry. Nikki and Ainsley dive into the crucial role of packaging, the quest for aligned partners, and the resilience needed to overcome obstacles, especially the daunting prospect of hearing 'no' in your food business.Learn more about Freestyle Snacks here: /www.freestylesnacking.comWant support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Orleatha Smith of Sip Herbals sits down and discusses how it's important to be flexible in a business partnership and why. Hear how she talks about the need of aligning your brand to your own values, how customer feedback should be listened to, and Sip Naturals' incredible journey, turning a $7,000 Kickstarter into a $100,000 business in just 12 months.Learn more about Sip Herbals here: https://sipherbals.comWant support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Food Founders® Podcast, we sit down with Rawmantics Chocolate's founder Kasia Bosne and discuss her career shift from high fashion to the CPG industry. Hear what made her decide to make the switch and her advice for you on starting your food brand. She talks about when the customer is right, when you should follow your gut, and why you should be patient.Learn more about Rawmantic Chocolate here: https://rawmanticchocolate.com/Want support growing your food business? Visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3Get The Blueprint to having a Food Brand That Sells here: www.foodbrandsthatsell.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of pioneering a food revolution with Pluck Ancestral Superfood Powder. Discover the secrets to driving early adoption as we explore the strategies that placed Pluck at the forefront of making the benefits of organ meat more natural and more accessible to everyday households.Food Founder and Chef James Barry, shares his experiences in creating a whole new category in the food industry, disrupting the market with value-based pricing, and reshaping consumer attitudes toward organ meat. This is not just about introducing a product—it's about inspiring a shift in the cultural landscape of health and nutrition.Tune in to learn how Pluck navigated the challenges of market education, months of FDA and USDA regulatory roadblocks, and shifting consumer mindset around how they can get more ancestral superfoods into their everyday life.Learn more about Pluck here https://bit.ly/3Qv9hPP. Use code FOODFOUNDER at checkout to save 10%Interested in starting or scaling your packaged food brand? Let's chat! https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 is YOUR year! ! In this must-listen episode, host Ainsley, a seasoned expert in the food and beverage industry, unveils the top five trends that will shape the year. Get ready for a game-changing session packed with insights on leveraging omnichannel strategies, economic resilience, the power of AI, and the magic of human connection for your brand. This episode isn't just about what's trending; it's a blueprint for outsmarting the competition and propelling your business to new heights. Tune in now and let's transform your business in 2024.To get more support growing your food business in 2024 visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sit down with us as we talk to Chelsie Hodge, the food founder of Blender Bites, and hear how she created a new frozen food category. Listen to what she learned along the way about manufacturing, marketing, and profitability and the advice she has for fellow food founders. She shares how she was able to get her product into 5,000 retail stores across two countries and what she's still learning along the way.To learn more about Blender Bites visit https://blenderbites.com/To learn about growing your food business, visit https://bit.ly/47j5Bs3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this final episode of our 3 part mini series Ainsley shares five transformative mindset tools that have revolutionized not only her life but also the journeys of numerous food entrepreneurs she's mentored. These straightforward yet powerful techniques are more than just tips; they're the catalysts for monumental change. They promise to reshape your approach to business and life, setting the stage for extraordinary success in 2024 and beyond. If you're ready to make 2024 your best year yet, the Food Founder® Inner Circle is where you want to be! Sessions start in January so don't miss this limited opportunity to be part of a winning group of food founders committed to success in 2024 and beyond. Register now at https://bit.ly/47uIZVh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.