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- Monday Newsletter 10/21/24
Monday Newsletter 10/21/24
😋This Week in CPG 10/21/24
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Hey ,
Money Money Money. It’s the #1 stress on founders. Either running out of it or needing to make more of it.
I’ve seen it from both sides… running a business that was perpetually losing money (VC funded) and now running my current businesses that were both profitable year one.
I learned that the #1 way to bring happiness to my business was being cashflow positive and profitable. It eliminated 90% of my business related stress, which is important to me because my last business caused me to have a literal panic attack.
If there’s one thing to change in your business, it’s setting a personal financial goal, and then steering the business to reach it. As long as you’re cashflow positive and profitable, you can steer the business any direction you choose afterwards.
Many of you may be in a position of “I need a big acquisition or I’ll go home with nothing.” If thats what you want, wishing you all the success on that journey. I’m not here to dissuade you against it, just know what that path entails.
Wishing you all the best on your journey,
Jordan Buckner
CPG NEWS
A roundup of CPG news that happened last week.
🛒 Retail Rollouts
💧 No Days Wasted, founded by Nishal Kumar, launched its Hydration Replenisher in Whole Foods Markets across Canada, expanding its reach beyond e-commerce.
🥟 Bowlcut, founded by Crystal Ung, secured shelf space in 50 Target stores and Central Market locations, increasing its retail footprint.
🥟 Laoban Dumplings, co-founded by John Coyne and Tim Ma, celebrated a spot in Whole Foods Market's Top Ten Product Trends for 2025, showcasing its innovative dumpling offerings.
🍯 Tal's, founded by Tal Garden, announced its products are now available at New Seasons Market, marking a new retail partnership.
🚀 New Product Launch
🥥 Offshoot Brands introduced Fresh Face Foods at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, debuting coconut trail mixes and premium ready-to-eat artichoke hearts under its new produce-forward lineup.
💸 Investments and Acquisitions
👶 Lil' Gourmets, founded by Shibani Baluja, launched its first crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, aiming to expand its veggie-rich, fresh baby food to more families.
🎉 News to Celebrate
🍫 Wellious, founded by Sean Hall, saw overwhelming success with its HealthyGirl x Wellious limited edition flavor, gaining tens of millions of organic views, influencer endorsements, and enthusiastic feedback from customers praising the protein powder's taste.
🌎 Whole Foods Market released its 10th annual trends report, forecasting 2025's top food trends:
International Snacking: Daily Crunch Sweet Sichuan Sprouted Cashews, Aaji’s Tomato Lonsa, Dang Mango Sticky Rice Chips, and Confusion Snacks Chili Masala Popcorn.
Ever-Adaptable Dumpling: MìLà Pork Soup Dumplings, Laoban Mala Beef Dumplings, and 365 by Whole Foods Market Basil Pesto Plin.
Crunch: Texture of the Moment: Daily Crunch Turmeric & Sea Salt Sprouted Almonds, Fly By Jing Chengdu Crunch, and Popadelics Crunchy Mushroom Chips.
Hydration Hype: Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix, Pricklee Cactus Water, and Harmless Harvest Organic Sparkling Coconut Water.
Tea’s Time: Twrl Jasmine Pu’erh Milk Tea, Van Leeuwen Blue Jasmine Tea Ice Cream Bars, and Big Heart Tea Co. Minty Blue Herbal Tea.
Next-Level Compostable: Whole Foods Market Organic Steeped Coffee Single Serve Compostable Coffee Bags and Compostic 100% Home Compostable Cling Wrap.
More-Sustainable Sips: Patagonia Provisions + Deschutes Kernza Lager, Brooklyn Brewery Fonio Rising Pale Ale, and Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc.
Sourdough Stepped Up: Bionaturae Organic Sourdough Spaghetti, Whole Foods Market Bakery Pumpkin Turmeric Sourdough, and Patagonia Provisions Sourdough Sea Salt Organic Crackers.
Plant-Based Aquatic Ingredients: Atlantic Sea Farms Sea-Chi, Copina Co. Passionfruit Sea Moss Refresher, and Simply Organic Sea Lettuce Finishing Salt.
Protein Power-Up: Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt, Force of Nature Beef Ancestral Blend, and 365 by Whole Foods Market Hot Smoked Atlantic Salmon Snack Cubes.
In collaboration with Amber Caro from Marketbite.
Have news to share?
EVENTS
Webinar: How to Build Effective Digital Sampling Campaigns
Needing to drive sales in grocery stores? Creating a digital sampling campaign is one of the best ways to do this. It allows you to:
Drive existing customers to purchase in their favorite stores
Acquire new customers to the brand to purchase in store
Increase sales velocity at targeted retailers
In this webinar we’re breaking down exactly how to build effective sampling campaigns using digital rebates that effectively reach your goals.
Webinar: Sustainable Packaging for CPG Brands
How do you create sustainable packaging as a CPG brand? In this webinar we’ll be breaking down our framework for reducing your packaging footprint through recyclable and compostable materials, along with packaging design choices.
We’ll break down the various goals you have with your packaging when considering:
Sustainability
Oxygen barrier
Moisture barrier
Design aesthetic
Come with your specific questions and we’ll get it answered.
PODCAST
190. How to Operate Successfully As A Family Business
Running a family business comes with a lot of benefits, and a few challenges along the way. You know you have someone you can trust, but what happens when you have different ideas on how to grow?
I talk with Josh and Shlomo, two of the 2nd generation owners of Josh Packaging about how they navigated joining their family business. We also discuss their share values around always delivering for the customer. They share some practical advice on how to work with multiple family members over decades in business together.
Looking for a Packaging Supplier?
For flexible films like pouches, bar wrappers, and bags, turn to Josh Packaging—a trusted, family-owned business based in New York. They specialize in supporting emerging CPG brands with top-notch service and expert guidance on selecting the best materials for your packaging. Plus, their reliable lead times ensure you get your products out on schedule. Get a free consultation with Josh Packaging today and see how they can elevate your brand's packaging!
Listen on:
189. Building Strong Relationships with Distributors
I delve into the often misunderstood world of distributor partnerships and explore how brands can build strong, productive relationships with their distributors. Our discussion tackles the common misconceptions brands have about working with distributors, shedding light on what often goes awry and how to set the foundation for a successful collaboration.
I interview Elizabeth Hemphill-Burns is a seasoned sales leader and business strategist with over a decade of experience in the natural, specialty, and organic food and beverage industry. Elizabeth has an extensive background in building strong relationships with distributors, managing P&L, and expanding market reach for innovative brands like Pressed and KeHE.
Key points we'll cover include:
Understanding Distributors: Unpack the critical aspects that brands often overlook when working with distributors. Learn about the expectations from both sides and how misalignments can impact the relationship.
Building Strong Relationships: Discover actionable strategies to foster trust and cooperation with your distributors. We'll discuss communication techniques, mutual benefits, and the importance of aligning goals to enhance partnership longevity.
Navigating Chargebacks: Chargebacks can be a thorn in the side of many brands. We'll explain why chargebacks happen, how they can be managed, and preventative measures to minimize their occurrence. This segment aims to equip you with the knowledge to handle these financial setbacks effectively.
Need help managing distributor deductions? Glimpse uses AI to automatically download, categorize, and contest dispute deductions on your behalf. It works faster, costs less, and recoups more money than doing deductions manually or using any existing services. Get a 2 month free trial to see how much money you can save and free sales dashboard and tracking inventory: Tryglimpse.com
Listen on:
SALES
Drive Sales for Frozen, Refrigerated, and Beverage Brands Using Digital Marketing
Selling refrigerated, frozen, or beverage products online can be a logistical nightmare. Shipping costs, packaging requirements, and the risk of products arriving in poor condition make direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales challenging. Additionally, consumers typically prefer purchasing these products in-store, further complicating online sales strategies.
But that doesn’t mean digital marketing has no place in driving sales for these brands.
FINANCE
Why Matching Your Chart of Accounts for Financial Reporting is a Must for Small Businesses
It may seem like a no-brainer, but ensuring your chart of accounts match the framework of your reporting is a must if you want to achieve long-term success. Managing finances is a must in running a successful small business, and having your Chart of Accounts (CoA) is a big part of this. It is not just for the “big” business world, it applies to you as a small business owner too!
Pull up a chair, grab a snack, and learn what these charts of accounts are and why they are so meaningful when it comes time for accurate reporting.
Sales Dashboard for UNFI, KeHE, and Whole Foods
Are you growing in retail but losing a grasp on what’s happening with your business?
I’ve found that once you surpass about 100 stores it becomes really challenging to understand what’s happening at each one. Here’s how to use a data platform to better understand velocity and optimize your best and worst performing stores:
Our friends at Glimpse has put together a FREE SALES DASHBOARD for measuring sales in KeHE, UNFI, and Whole Foods.
JOIN
FOR BRANDS
If launching or scaling your own food and beverage business is a goal of yours, let us help you realize your dream and avoid unnecessary struggle. Join as a Premium Member.
FOR PARTNERS
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About Foodbevy
Foodbevy helps food and beverage brands grow from startup to scale through inspiration, education, and partnership.
Jordan Buckner
Founder
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