On this episode, we’re joined by Brandon Castaneda, Co-founder and CEO of EZ Bombs - a breakout Hispanic food brand that went from zero to $20 million in just one year by turning traditional Mexican recipes into viral “bath bombs” - and Ben Amaya, the brand’s Director of Marketing.

What started in Brandon’s mom’s kitchen exploded on TikTok Shop, where EZ Bombs quickly became the #1 food brand on the platform. Built on an authentic birria recipe, a family-first ethos, and a network of over 10,000 affiliate creators, the brand has rewritten the playbook on viral food and modern CPG growth.

Brandon and Ben share the full blueprint behind EZ Bombs’ rocketship trajectory - from finding and scaling with the right co-packer to managing 245,000 monthly orders, building a creator army, and preparing for national retail. We dig into packaging strategy, flavor formulation, TikTok algorithms, and the biggest mistakes brands make when they try to scale without a community.

Episode Highlights:

🌮 The viral origin story behind EZ Bombs
📦 What Brandon looks for in a great co-packer
📱 TikTok Shop mechanics that still work today
🎯 How to get creator content that actually converts
🔥 Designing for retail and the feed
🥘 Flavor formulation & CPG product dev 101
🛒 Winning the shelf: where EZ Bombs fits in-store
💸 Fundraising strategy and brand positioning
🧠 Mistakes most food founders make on TikTok

Table of Contents:

00:00 – Intro
00:54 – EZ Bombs Intro and launch story
03:21 – Family business dynamics
10:37 – Exploding on TikTok Shop
12:59 – Scaling up with a co-packer
15:39 – Seeing the TikTok Shop opportunity early
17:25 – Recommendations for launching via TikTok Shop today
22:53 – Product dev and formulation
27:27 – Nailing down a co-packer
31:57 – Packaging design
38:20 – Expanding into retail
42:51 – Fitting into the right aisle
45:12 – Fundraising

Links:

EZ Bombs – https://www.ezbombs.com
Follow Brandon on LinkedIn – Brandon Castaneda
Follow Ben on LinkedIn – Ben Amaya
Follow me on LinkedIn – Adam Steinberg
Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.

On this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Peters, the Senior Director of Emerging Brands at Jack Link’s, where he leads brand strategy, P&L, and innovation across a portfolio of growth-stage and incubation brands - including Golden Island, Jack Link’s Chili, and more.

Kyle brings a unique lens to scaling emerging brands within a legacy organization, drawing on his experience as a founder of a high-protein ice cream startup and as a former growth leader at Nestlé’s R&D Accelerator.

We dive into navigating the post-founder journey, how to be a good partner to a distributor, and what makes for a truly scalable product strategy. We dive deep into COGS, margin planning, and when (if ever) it makes sense to vertically integrate. Plus: emerging CPG trends from the guy leading the emerging trends at Jack Link’s.

Episode Highlights:

🥩 Inside Jack Link’s emerging brand strategy
🧊 The post-founder handoff playbook
🏭 Copacker sourcing tips + trusted directories
📉 Tradeoffs when moving from self-manufacturing
📦 Packaging design lessons + rebrand advice
🚚 How to work with your distributor, not against them
💸 What C-store buyers expect, and how to deliver
📊 Forecasting margin erosion the right way
🔥 Trends Kyle is watching in protein and beyond

Table of Contents:

01:00 – Jack Links’ emerging brands portfolio
08:54 – The post-founder journey
21:29 – Copackers
24:18 – Where to find copackers
27:23 – Moving from self-manufacturing, tradeoffs in scaling
31:37 – If/when to vertically integrate
33:36 – Product mix strategy
39:23 – Being a good partner to distributors
43:18 – A distributor’s expected hit to your margin
44:43 – Projecting COGS and margins
46:51 – The C-store channel
50:47 – Packaging design: what matters
53:48 – When to rebrand
56:40 – Emerging trends from the emerging trends guy
57:46 – Why protein is exploding right now

Links:

Jack Link’s – https://www.jacklinks.com
Follow Kyle on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylempeters/
Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/
Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.

On this episode, we’re joined by Chris Bauer, CFO at Catapult Commercialization Services, the product development and commercialization “fixer” for the CPG industry - from R&D and formulation to supply chain setup, manufacturing, co-packers, and go-to-market strategy.

Chris provides a masterclass on the world of co-packers. He breaks down how to actually pick the right co-packer, how to structure the agreement, why so many brand-owner expectations go sideways, and what good looks like when it comes to transparency, contracts, and operational readiness.

We talk about why most brands are over-optimistic about production timelines, what co-mans won’t tell you, and how to spot the red flags before you sign. Plus: whether it’s better to use a single turnkey partner or build a modular supply chain with separate vendors for R&D, production, and fulfillment.

Episode Highlights:

🏗️ What Catapult Commercialization Services actually does
🔍 How to find and approach the right co-packer
💬 Getting a co-manufacturer to take you seriously
🧪 Vetting co-packers without relying on vibes
📝 What should (and shouldn’t) be in your co-man agreement
🔒 How to protect your IP before you scale
📉 Avoiding runaway COGs before it's too late
⚠️ “Take or Pay” clauses and how to negotiate around them
👩‍🍳 Going from kitchen-made to co-manufactured
📊 What KPIs you should track with your co-man

Table of Contents:

00:05:30 – Sourcing co-packers
00:10:44 – How to properly vet co-packers
00:13:30 – Structuring a co-packer agreement
00:16:58 – Protecting your IP
00:21:03 – How to avoid runaway COGs
00:30:13 – Tracking co-packer KPIs
00:33:38 – Risk planning

Links:

Catapult Commercialization – https://www.catapultservices.com
Follow Chris on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-bauer-4623b55a/
Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/
Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support

On this episode we’re joined by serial entrepreneur, Sorosh Tavakoli, the Founder and CEO of Stockeld Dreamery, a bold food-tech brand reinventing cheese without animals, using fermentation and legumes (this ain’t your typical plant-based cheese).

Stockeld first launched in food service with their own take on cream cheese and MELT, sliced yellow cheese that actually melts. A big retail push is now under way.

We dig into brand positioning, go-to-market strategy, raising ~$25M out the gate, the decision to prioritize quality over speed, and what it takes to build trust with both chefs and consumers in a category with an historically terrible reputation.

Episode Highlights:

🧀 Stockeld’s mission to reinvent cheese without animals
🌱 Why quality is key in the “third wave” of plant-based dairy
🍔 How they launched through iconic NYC foodservice spots
📦 Packaging and messaging in a skeptical category
🏭 Building a pilot plant and scaling fermentation tech
📊 Category stagnation and where innovation is heading
🛒 Preparing to scale the retail channel
💰 Raising ~$25M out the gate

Table of Contents:

01:05 – Intro, Sorosh’s Background, Origin Story
03:05 – Products in Market
05:50 – Building in CPG as a Former Exited Tech Entrepreneur
08:06 – Commercialization
13:50 – Why Legumes
17:00 – Launching in Food Service
27:40 – Kicking Things Off With Distributors
31:30 – Packaging Design
40:48 – Raising ~$25M Out the Gate

Links:

Stockeld Dreamery – https://www.stockeld.com
Follow Stockeld – https://www.instagram.com/stockeld_dreamery/
Follow Sorosh on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorosh/
Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/
Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support

On this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Thomas, VP of Marketing at Archer, the fast-growing meat snack brand formerly known as Country Archer. With a new name, bold new packaging, and a fresh retail strategy, Archer is repositioning itself from niche natural to mainstream powerhouse on track to hit ~$400M in sales in 2025.

Prior to Archer, Andrew led marketing at brands like KeVita, PepsiCo, and Chicken of the Sea

In this episode, he breaks down the strategy behind dropping “Country,” the rebrand process from beginning to end, and what it takes to execute a full pack change across mass, club, and natural channels.

We also dive deep into how to win and what’s changing at Target, Walmart and Whole Foods, and C-stores, and how Andrew uses an “agency recruiter”.

Episode Highlights:

🎯 Why the name “Country Archer” had to go
📦 How Archer’s new cream-and-orange packs were built for shelf impact
🏪 What mass retailers want to see before approving a packaging change
🛒 Multipack strategy for club vs. conventional grocery
🔄 Resetting 30,000+ facings without breaking everything
📈 How to time a national rebrand to hit seasonal buyer resets
🚫 The flavor that didn’t make the cut—and what replaced it
💬 Key language shifts that helped Archer win broader household appeal
🔥 Tactics for launching new SKUs in Target and Walmart
📊 Retailer scorecards, velocity benchmarks, and what buyers really care about

Table of Contents:

04:11 – Why the Rebrand
07:04 – Rebrand: Visual ID and Packaging Design
21:40 – Rebrand: ExpoWest Launch
24:40 – Rebrand: Key Metrics
26:16 – Rebrand: Packaging Changeover
37:05 – The Difference Between the Key Retailers
42:10 – Trends

Links:

Archer – https://www.archerjerky.com
Follow Andrew on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-j-thomas/
Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/
Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.

On this episode, we’re joined by Bryan Shelton, the VP of Sales & Marketing at Giorgio Fresh — the largest grower, shipper, distributor of fresh mushrooms.

Before joining Giorgio, Bryan held senior sales roles at legacy CPG companies like Del Monte, Pinnacle Foods, and Kellogg. At Giorgio, he’s leading a modern transformation of a nearly 100-year-old company, pushing mushrooms into the spotlight with value-added innovations like stuffed mushrooms, savory sauté kits, and new grill-friendly formats.

We dive into how Bryan’s background in frozen and shelf-stable CPG informs his strategy in fresh produce, the challenges of building a brand around what’s often seen as a commodity, and how Giorgio is repositioning mushrooms as the ultimate superfood.

Bryan shares lessons on launching new SKUs with limited shelf life, how to avoid landmines in the foodservice channel, the tradeoffs of packaging refreshes, and why being great at the fundamentals — quality, service, relationships — still wins in produce.

Episode Highlights:
🍄 The 100-year story of Giorgio and its global reach
📦 Building brand equity in a category most people consider unbranded
🛠️ Why packaging form factor matters more than you think in produce
🧑‍🌾 How shelf life, QA, and crop cycles change how you sell
📈 “Yes, if…” — Bryan’s philosophy for navigating retail requests
🚚 What goes wrong when brands scale too early
🍴 Why foodservice is a low-barrier brand flywheel
🧠 The product launch framework Giorgio uses
🧃 The origin story of Giorgio’s global bottling business
⚖️ Why your best work won’t always show up in your year-end numbers

Table of Contents:
00:00 – Bryan’s background and Giorgio overview
04:00 – Key differences between CPG and produce
07:00 – Brand-building in commodity-driven categories
10:00 – Shelf life, retail strategy & e-comm influence
14:00 – Product innovation, testing, and scale challenges
20:00 – Packaging design: visibility, structure & sustainability
25:00 – Foodservice vs. retail: how to think about each
30:00 – Mistakes, mentorship & leadership lessons
34:00 – Why mushrooms are the world’s most underrated superfood

Links:
Giorgio Fresh – https://www.giorgiofresh.com
Follow Bryan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-shelton-14b45413/

Follow Adam on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg
Check out https://www.kitprint.co for CPG production design support

On this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Gill, the Director of Marketing at Three Chord Bourbon, and a spirits industry veteran with deep roots in off-premise retail.

Before joining the team at Three Chord, Ryan spent over a decade running top-tier off-premise locations across the South, managing $XXM+ stores and building high-performance teams. That front-line retail experience gave him a rare lens on what really moves bottles - insights he now brings to one of the fastest-growing bourbon brands in the U.S.

Ryan unpacks how his time on the floor shaped his philosophy on brand building, distributor management, and the power of field marketing. He shares tactical advice for emerging brands trying to stand out on crowded shelves, plus his playbook for training retail staff, building local market awareness, and executing limited drops that actually drive velocity.

We also dive into Three Chord’s unique origin story, why music plays into their blending process, and how they’re scaling into 40+ states while staying connected to the whiskey community.

Episode Highlights:
🏪 What 10 years in off-premise retail taught Ryan about winning in spirits
📊 Why so many brands misunderstand the off-premise buyer
🛒 Tactical tips for activating in retail without huge budgets
🏀 How spirits distribution has become like the NBA
🥃 How Three Chord Bourbon trains retailers to become brand evangelists
🎸 From guitar riffs to mash bills: Three Chord’s musical roots
📍 Building a national brand with limited resources
🔁 Navigating the 3-tier system from the brand side
🧃 Lessons in merchandising, demos, and field marketing

Table of Contents:
00:00 – Intro & Retail Background
05:00 – Lessons from Off-Premise Retail & Frontline Sales
12:00 – Joining Three Chord & Shifting to Brand Side
18:30 – Field Marketing & Retail Training
25:00 – Limited Drops & Community Building
30:00 – Scaling Distribution with Focus
40:00 – Final Thoughts & Industry Advice

Links:
Three Chord Bourbon – https://www.threechordbourbon.com
Follow Ryan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-gill-3chord/
Follow me on LinkedIn – Adam Steinberg
Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support

On this episode, we’re joined by Tara Foster, the COO of Evergreen (a better-for-you waffle brand), and the former COO of nutpods.

Tara was part of the founding team at nutpods, where she helped scale the plant-based creamer brand to a nine-figure run rate and the #2 brand in the category.

With over a decade of experience across ingredient sourcing, supply chain strategy, and operational leadership, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Tara dives into her co-manufacturing playbook. From evaluating partners and negotiating agreements to scaling production without losing control, she unpacks what most brands get wrong about COGS, how to manage risk through supplier redundancy, how ops teams evolve as brands scale, what she learned from bumpier moments like warehouse moves and formulation changes, and why continuous improvement is key.

Episode Highlights:
🥥 Scaling nutpods to a nine-figure brand
🏭 What to look for in a great co-manufacturer
⚠️ “Take or pay” clauses and how to avoid them
🚚 Hidden costs that destroy your margin
📦 Packaging decisions that drive retail success
📉 Redundancy and de-risking the supply chain
📊 Forecasting COGS with real-world benchmarks
🚀 When it does make sense to vertically integrate
👥 Hiring your first ops lead vs. building a full team

Table of Contents:
00:00 – Intro & Evergreen Overview
02:00 – Early nutpods Journey & Co-Man Lessons
06:00 – How to Source and Pitch a Co-Packer
10:00 – Scaling, Formulation Shifts, and Loss of Control
14:00 – Supplier Redundancy & Risk Mitigation
18:00 – COGS, Margins & Avoiding Common Pitfalls
21:00 – New Product Launch Best Practices
24:00 – Packaging for Efficiency vs. Shelf Appeal
28:00 – COO Role Evolution from Startup to Scale
33:00 – Trends Tara’s Watching in CPG
34:00 – Where to Follow Tara & Evergreen

Links:
Evergreen – https://www.eatevergreen.com
Follow Tara on LinkedIn – Tara Foster
Follow me on LinkedIn – Adam Steinberg
Check out https://www.kitprint.co/ for CPG production design support.