Podcast · 55 episodes
Startup To Scale
by Foodbevy · English
Startup To Scale is your resource for growing your food, beverage, and CPG company from a young company to a successful business.
Latest episodes
285. From Her Parents’ Kitchen to 500 Sprouts Stores: How Lindsey Mifsud Built LL’s KitchenLindsey Mifsud’s origin story and growth lessons building LL’s Kitchen from pandemic granola hobby to nationwide retail, including Sprouts expansion and retail execution.30 Sep 2026 · 22 min
284. How CPG Brands Can Access Senior-Level Advisory, Strategy, and Execution Without Building a Full C-SuiteHow CPG brands can get senior-level advisory, strategy, and selective execution via fractional C-suite leaders (fractional CMO/CFO/COO) instead of hiring a full-time executive, and how to integrate…23 Sep 2026 · 28 min
283. Accounts Receivables for CPG Brands in RetailAccounts receivable (AR) and deduction management for CPG brands selling into retail—how to keep AR “clean,” structure books, manage trade allowances/deductions, handle cash application (including $0…14 Sep 2026 · 34 min
All episodes
285. From Her Parents’ Kitchen to 500 Sprouts Stores: How Lindsey Mifsud Built LL’s KitchenLindsey Mifsud’s origin story and growth lessons building LL’s Kitchen from pandemic granola hobby to nationwide retail, including Sprouts expansion and retail execution.30 Sep 2026 · 22 min · 12 chapters
284. How CPG Brands Can Access Senior-Level Advisory, Strategy, and Execution Without Building a Full C-SuiteHow CPG brands can get senior-level advisory, strategy, and selective execution via fractional C-suite leaders (fractional CMO/CFO/COO) instead of hiring a full-time executive, and how to integrate…23 Sep 2026 · 28 min · 12 chapters
283. Accounts Receivables for CPG Brands in RetailAccounts receivable (AR) and deduction management for CPG brands selling into retail—how to keep AR “clean,” structure books, manage trade allowances/deductions, handle cash application (including $0…14 Sep 2026 · 34 min · 18 chapters
282. How GOOD GOOD is Building a Global No-Sugar Brand in a Category Dominated by GiantsGoodGood’s journey building a global no/low-sugar food brand (jams, nut butters, fruit spreads) and scaling from Iceland to the U.S.28 Aug 2026 · 22 min · 9 chapters
281. Creator Marketing That Actually Scales: Building Programs That Drive Long-Term GrowthHow to scale creator/affiliate marketing for CPG brands beyond one-off influencer posts—using creator program tiers, volume, clear creator “briefs,” and funnel/retention fundamentals.24 Aug 2026 · 22 min · 10 chapters
280. Packaging That Sells: Redesigning Your Brand for the Retail ShelfWhen CPG brands outgrow early packaging, redesign it to sell on the retail shelf; packaging must communicate quality/value in seconds and fit long-term brand strategy.17 Aug 2026 · 20 min · 12 chapters
279. How to Turn In-Store Demos Into Retail SalesHow CPG brands can turn in-store product demos into retail sales using brand ambassadors, scripts, and account-specific strategies (Sprouts innovation programs and Costco roadshows).10 Aug 2026 · 22 min · 9 chapters
278. Building Good Journey and the Mindset to Do It AgainHow Christopher rebuilt his mindset after a stressful, debt-heavy keto cookie startup and now runs Good Journey with self-awareness, mental health, self-forgiveness, and long-term sustainability…3 Aug 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters
277. From Locker Room to National Retail: How Coco5 Scaled an Athlete-Owned Hydration BrandMarc Doggett, CEO of Coco5, explains how the athlete-owned hydration brand scaled from a Chicago hockey-team “taste fix” to national retail distribution, and how it’s expanding beyond grocery.27 Jul 2026 · 19 min · 10 chapters
276. Why AI Alone Can’t Fix Your CPG DeductionsCPG distributor deductions and trade spend management, arguing that AI can’t replace proactive, human-led processes for reviewing, matching, disputing, and acting on deductions.20 Jul 2026 · 20 min · 10 chapters
275. Why Great Products Get Ignored: How CPG Brands Can Earn Attention and Drive SalesHow CPG brands can earn attention and drive sales in a fragmented, highly competitive environment (inflation, rising ingredient costs, short-form/social attention spans, and “post-GLP” consumers).15 Jul 2026 · 22 min · 9 chapters
274. Can AI Create Packaging That Actually Sells?Whether AI can create packaging that actually sells, and where it helps vs. where it misleads in CPG brand strategy, creative ideation, and validation.13 Jul 2026 · 24 min · 10 chapters
273. How I Get Grocery Buyers to Actually RespondHow CPG brands can get grocery buyers to respond and ultimately get placed on shelves, using trade shows, targeted emails, correct category-review submissions, and additive follow-up.6 Jul 2026 · 22 min · 7 chapters
272. When Is It Time to Refresh Your Packaging?Proper Good’s packaging refresh for shelf-stable, ready-to-eat soup—when to redesign, and how to optimize for retail conversion without losing what drives repeat purchases.29 Jun 2026 · 23 min · 7 chapters
271. How to Fund Growth Without Losing Control of Your CPG BrandFunding CPG growth without losing control, focusing on cash-flow timing, purchase order/inventory financing, and when to use equity vs debt.22 Jun 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters
270. Why CPG Founders Need to Know Their NumbersWhy CPG (especially alcohol) founders must master financial “numbers” beyond basic accounting—gross margin, contribution margin, cash flow timing, inventory/production forecasting, and…15 Jun 2026 · 22 min · 9 chapters
269. Why Your CPG Brand Might Be Losing Money on AmazonHow CPG brands can stop “making sales but losing money” on Amazon by improving profitability through ad management, listing SEO/creative, and inventory control; also how to choose keyword/launch…9 Jun 2026 · 24 min · 13 chapters
268. Building a Brand People Believe InHow founders should build a brand people recognize and believe in—starting with values/personality, then translating them into a cohesive visual identity across packaging, website, and social.3 Jun 2026 · 21 min · 14 chapters
267. From $0 to $100M and Back Again: Jeff Church on Building, Breaking, and Rebuilding in CPGJeff Church (Startup to Scale, FoodBevy) discusses building and scaling CPG brands, the role of timing and disruption, lessons from failures, and launching Proto protein soda plus a CPG-focused AI…26 May 2026 · 24 min · 11 chapters
266. He Fixed His Own Coffee Problem. Then Built a $300K+ Brand Without Retail or FundingHow Peak State (adaptogen/“mushroom coffee” style) built a $300K+ brand without retail or venture funding, balancing e-commerce profitability with selective retail expansion.19 May 2026 · 21 min · 13 chapters
265. How CPG Brands Can Use Off-Price Retail as a Strategic Growth ChannelOff-price/value retail (TJX: TJ Maxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods; Ross; Burlington) as a strategic CPG growth channel, not just liquidation—covering how it works (“treasure hunt” clearance model), how brands…11 May 2026 · 24 min · 10 chapters
264. Retail Said Yes. Your P&L Might Say No. How to Pressure Test Growth Before It Breaks Your BrandRetail “yes” can still break your brand; founders must pressure-test retail deals using true economics, cash timing, and sell-through—not just purchase orders.6 May 2026 · 23 min · 11 chapters
263. Setting up an Inventory Management Software for Your CPG BrandWhen and how CPG brands should move from spreadsheets to inventory management software, and how to connect inventory data to accurate cost of goods sold (COGS) and margin reporting.4 May 2026 · 23 min · 11 chapters
262. How I Eat My Greens Is Reviving Soup with Flavor, Freshness, and Smarter Retail GrowthHow I Eat My Greens grows refrigerated soup by prioritizing flavor over “function-only” nutrition, then uses retail velocity tactics—especially digital retail media ads on Instacart—to improve ROAS…20 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters