show episodes
 
Sarah Delevan hosts The Good Food CFO Podcast | Building Financial Confidence. Redefining Equitability. Leading The Good Food Revolution. You'll hear stories from Food Founders, Disruptors, and Industry Experts as we discuss building a business on your own terms. New episodes weekly.
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Whether you have a delicious idea that you want to turn into a real business, or you have a small food brand and want to grow it, Food Business Success is here to help you create a profitable packaged food business. Sari Kimbell, the creator of Food Business Success® offers you valuable insights, practical tools and step-by-step help to launch or grow your business as well as ideas to help you become the badass entrepreneur running your dream business. Together, let's make your food business ...
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Unleash your ecommerce potential with 'Ecomm Marketing with the Pitbulls.' Dive into deep, enlightening conversations with industry leaders, marketing mavens, and innovative entrepreneurs. Each episode brings you insightful discussions on ecommerce strategies, practical marketing tactics, and behind-the-scenes startup stories. Tune in as we navigate the intricate ecommerce landscape, uncovering the secrets of success in today's digital world.
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show series
 
Jordan Buckner, founder of Tea Squares, FoodBevy and Joyful Co, a curated gift boxing company and I, as a former Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market, nows a thing or two about retail. He and I have an awesome conversation about why holiday planning starts in the summer (or earlier) and how to craft a great roadmap for success. The Holiday R…
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Growth isn’t always linear. From opening new locations to driving retail sales, the story of Boichik Bagels offers valuable lessons for food founders on their own path to building a successful business. In this episode, Sarah welcomes back Emily Winston, Founder and CEO of Boichik Bagels, to discuss the growth and expansion of her business. Emily o…
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We are halfway through the year and it's time to do a check in on the goals and milestones you set waaayyy back in January. It's likely you aren't where you thought you "should" be at the 6 month mark. Don't beat yourself up - we always underestimate how long something will take! it's time to refocus, re-strategize, and ensure your actions align wi…
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Uncover the many advantages of bill pay systems for a more efficient and organized operation! In this episode, Sarah Delavan and producer Chelsea Stier dive into the topic of Bill Pay Systems and the financial workflows of food businesses. Along with learning about the primary functions and benefits of bill pay systems, you’ll hear how they can be …
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Many founders ask me about SEO and what they can do to increase their "organic reach". I finally found THE person to help us understand SEO as a small business, not one with a ton of money to through at ads. What I learned from Chuck Aiken, founder of Tymoo, will surprise you and give you a new way to "do" SEO for best results. The Holiday Ready🎄Bo…
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How can cutting-edge technology like generative AI benefit Good Food Founders? What opportunities and challenges might arise from incorporating AI into your business operations? In this episode, Sarah welcomes Meg Faibisch Kuhn, an expert in AI, to discuss the applications of generative AI in your food business. Meg is the founder of Aioli, an AI e…
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In this part two of the Q&A interview featuring Fuel member questions, Sari and April address growth questions as brands move past the launch phase of their business and want to scale into online and wholesale sales. Questions include addressing the best strategies for selling products directly to consumers, overcoming the challenges of navigating …
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From starting small and leveraging diverse experiences to embracing challenges and making strategic decisions, this story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. In this episode, Sarah is joined by entrepreneurs Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas as they share their journey in the food industry. They discuss their backgrounds, the fo…
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It's a huge milestone today as Food Business Success hits 200 episodes of a weekly podcast! Tune in for my answers to questions from our Fuel members about launching a business including my story of starting a food business. The Holiday Ready🎄Bootcamp is back! Get early bird pricing through 7/21 and save $50. https://www.foodbizsuccess.com/holidayr…
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Scott Edwards, founder of Elevated Gains, has BIG dreams for his protein bar brand to create a $100M business, but he's doing what a great CEO does: not rushing, constraining his activity and focused on learning while making money. After struggling to get out of the startup stage with his CBD protein bars for years, we started working together last…
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I have been in own money drama recently about making an investment in my business and fear about making (yet another) money mistake. Yep, I've made more than a few "mistakes" with money 😵‍💫. Most of them I would say were "learnings" and stepping stones, with only one really bad one that I still cringe about when I think about it. But, the good news…
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Trusting in the process can be the hardest and most rewarding thing you can do for your Good Food business. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Lauren Montgomery, the founder of Monty’s, to discuss the intricacies of building a sustainable food brand. Lauren's journey from a deep passion for nutrition to creating the cleanest ingredient cashew crea…
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Sarah Delevan, a CPG profitability expert and host of the Good Food CEO podcast, and I have an engaging conversation about what it takes to create a sustainable businesses on your terms. We discuss the essential financial strategies and the intentional approaches founders need to build successful ventures including what your COGS need to be and rig…
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You’ve got questions The Good Food CFO has answers! In this episode, Sarah Delevan, The Good Food CFO is answering financial and business questions submitted by our BABOYOT members, and offering live coaching to member Chris Gilmour, Co-Founder of Wild Muskoka Botanicals. Sarah answers: What is the difference between Debt and Equity funding? I know…
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You have already overcome so much (we survived a pandemic!), but most of us fail to think of ourselves as the hero in the story and use it as evidence of what we can accomplish in our businesses. In this episode, I explore how to turn setbacks into powerful comeback stories for your business and life. Learn practical strategies for handling challen…
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Navigating the distribution maze is no small feat for emerging brands. Join us in peeling back the layers of this complex process, examining the limitations when partnering with large distributors and the dire need for alternatives. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Peter Gialantzis, CMO of Pod Foods, as they explore the difficulties that emergin…
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In this episode, I chat with Anna Zesbaugh, the inspiring founder of Better Buzz Brands that makes Hooch Booch and Corpse Reviver beverages, to discuss her journey launching an alcoholic hard kombucha company during the pandemic and then adding a non-alcoholic beverage to pave the way for more sales. Despite facing significant challenges, Anna's te…
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There is a lot to consider when it comes to online marketing: ​​ Are you confident in choosing the right platforms to reach your consumer base? How do you incorporate consumer preferences into your marketing strategies? How can you measure the success of your marketing efforts? In this podcast episode, Sarahis joined by Ali Cox, CEO of Noble West, …
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Are you a good time off taker? Are you able to turn off your phone and get present with the people and experiences, or do you feel ancy, agitated and anxiety wondering what you are missing and what messes will await you when you return? Most business owners I meet are TERRIBLE at taking real time off and it is actually hurting their businesses more…
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Ever wondered how a promising startup can suddenly falter? Sometimes, growth isn't just about expanding - it's about evolving. In this episode, Sarah and Chelsea delve into the story of Foxtrot - the convenience store delivery business that soared with ambition but faced the stark reality of rapid expansion. Founded in 2015, Foxtrot's initial succe…
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Deb Mazzaferro (aka Coach Maz) has been in the CPG industry for decades and she shares her insights and wisdom in a conversation we had together recently. With vast experience with legacy brands, importers, start-ups, brokers and distributors, she has a lot we can learn from when navigating the industry. From who you want on your "board of director…
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This is a testament to the power of building a business on your own terms. When you focus on YOUR vision, the health of your business and brand loyalty, and have the patience to see those seeds blossom, there is no limit to what you can achieve. In this episode, Sarah welcomes Jeff Wiguna to the show. Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Kuju Coffee, …
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Our brain loves a great routine and it's important that as things shift in our lives that we take some time as CEOs of our business to re-evaluate them and make decisions ahead of time to set ourselves up for success. Often we just let the seasons run us and run us over instead of setting up systems and routines that shift with the needs of the sea…
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For a Good Food Business there are many paths to success, and for some that path may include outside investment. But today’s Venture Capital landscape can be difficult to navigate, with high expectations for returns, investors that don’t quite understand your business, and the overall slow down of venture funding in the last year. In this episode, …
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There's a lot of ways to do business and a lot of people telling you how you "should" do it "right". The truth is that there is no ONE way and there is no RIGHT timeframe for success. The whole reason you got into business is probably to have more time and money freedom and to chart your own course and then it's easy to start comparing yourself to …
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Ever encountered challenges with syncing apps to accounting software or using online-only banks? You are not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing the financial "never do's" - things that founders should be wary of, and the cautionary tales from my experience as a CFO consultant that I believe are crucial for any business owner to heed. Chelsea and I…
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Do you want to run and hide when people start talking about AI and using it in your business? I kinda do...it's a little overwhelming and feels hard. My guest today, Dax Hammon of FOMO.ai, is an expert on the topic and he is going to blow your mind with where AI is going and how fast things are changing. He sent me a video as well so you can SEE wh…
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Inclusivity isn't just a buzzword – it's a strategic imperative. Our population is growing more diverse by the day, and businesses must evolve to meet the changing demographics. In this episode, Sarah is joined by brand strategist Kathy Guzmán Galloway. Kathy shows us that success doesn't necessarily mean creating a product for every niche, but rat…
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When we understand human nature and how to tap into powerful persuasive techniques, not out of manipulation, but simply to help people be more open to buying from you, everyone wins! The reciprocity principle is something we touched on in the Up Level Workshop and I expand on more here. It is one of the most deeply ingrained principles in humans an…
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You’ve probably heard The Good Food CFO say “50% is not good for your food business!” Well today, we’re diving into what that really means. In this episode, Sarah walks Chelsea through the nuances of profit margin, specifically challenging the commonly accepted 50% target in the food industry. She shows that this one-size-fits-all approach doesn't …
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Advertising on social media can feel pretty overwhelming and a lot of people burn through a lot of money to figure it out (or never figure it out). My guest today, Zach Spuckler of Heart, Soul & Hustle helps entrepreneurs figure this whole advertising thing with ease (if I can learn it, you can too) and focuses them on the one type of ad that actua…
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Sales people gets a pretty bad rap (think used car salesman stereotype) and how however you think about "sales" is affecting your revenue in your business. I can give you strategies all day long (as Danny and I are doing in the Up Level Workshop), but it's at least as important to also change your mindset around sales and become a great sales perso…
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Becoming a badass CEO with a successful business doesn't happen overnight (I wish!). Instead, one day you wake up different after weeks, months and even years of stringing together small decisions and actions that are a vote for the person you want to be. A badass is someone who follows through on what (and when) he or she says it will be done, tak…
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Danny and I love farmers markets as one of the first places for brands to go, but did you know that many brands continue with the market sales channel because it makes really good business sense? And it doesn't mean you have to do them all! Danny of Peak State Coffee is doing just this and using markets to fund his business while also taking 2 mont…
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Errol Schweizer has over 25 years of experience in the food industry and was V.P. of Grocery for Whole Foods from 2009-2016. His team grew sales to over US$5 Billion by supporting the launch and commercialization of thousands of new products, many of which are now household names. He has developed plant-based, Organic, Non-GMO and regenerative supp…
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It's one thing to make something delicious, but then you have to spend even more time finding the customers to buy your products. I'm joined today by Castiron founder, Mark Josephson, who is changing the way brands find customers and making it so much easier! If you want to check out Castiron and be a part of their new marketplace so you can focus …
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In this episode, The Good Food CFO, Sarah Delevan breaks down the concept of cost of goods sold (COGS) and its importance in understanding the financial health of your business. We explore the differences between accrual-based accounting and cash-based accounting, and how each method affects the calculation of COGS. We also clarify the distinction …
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Are you a good boss to yourself? Probably not...most traditional bosses aren't that great (only about 30% are) and entrepreneurs are even worse! In today's podcast I am sharing my presentation I did for Castiron's Flour Power event called How To Be The Boss You Deserve. I LOVE teaching this concept and I go into more detail in Chapter 9 of Key Ingr…
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Most Good Food Businesses start out selling their products at the local farmers’ market. Many continue to utilize markets as a consistent sales channel for their business as they grow. But at the end of the day, transporting your goods, setting up your tent or booth, and working all day, just to break it all down and load out can be a lot for any o…
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When you think about "networking" you probably make this face 😩 or this 🤢, but it doesn't have to be that way! If I could learn to love it 🤩, you definitely can too! In fact, I would credit much of my success and ability to help you to the relationships I have curated over the past 10 years. My guest today is the amazing Julie Nirvelli, founder of …
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Every business needs to understand their cash flow, ESPECIALLY if you don't have a lot of cash on hand, or a 12 week cash runway. You won’t find the answers looking at your P+L statement. That shows the operational profitability of your business and it's looking at your business in the past. A cash flow projection is looking to the future. In this …
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There's asking for feedback and then there's the receiving of the feedback. This is hard to do well! I love Adam Grant's concept of the second score and I share some tips on how to be a better feedback receiver so that you can get better or make your business better. I also share some of the feedback I received from the survey you may have taken in…
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When you are running your own business, it's never a question of if burnout will come, but when. Every founder has been there, and there are some telltale signs you might be going through it right now. But what if you could slow down, take a pause, and reflect on what is really important to you, in business, and in life? That’s what our guests, Eli…
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Digital overload is all too common, Handwrytten is bringing back the personal touch in customer communication. Founded by serial entrepreneur David Wachs, Handwrytten leverages sophisticated robotics to craft personalized handwritten notes at scale, offering a unique way for businesses to connect with their customers. With a decade of innovation an…
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In the four years Jessica, founder of Fireworks Butters, and I have worked together we have never recorded a podcast together...that changes today! Hear her 8-year journey of starting her business and keeping it going with a busy household of three kids and husband and then COVID. Each year she has made significant growth, but "it isn't for the fai…
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A million dollar deal can be a game changer for most small businesses, but it could also be a financial burden, and not a benefit at all if the product pricing and the deal aren't structured correctly. In this episode, Sarah is sharing the role she played in the negotiations between her client and a distributor that could result in $1 Million in th…
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Umai Marketing is redefining the game in digital marketing for authentic Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands. Founders Alison Smith and Karin Samelson share their journey and insights on how they help brands flourish online, from e-commerce to retail shelves. "The biggest mistake we see brands make is underestimating the power of community and sto…
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Are you worried about making money mistakes or making the wrong investments in your business? Danny Walsh and I have a frank conversation about making investments in an early stage business. He shares what investments he made into his business, Peak State Coffee, early on and what mistakes he made along the way so you can avoid the pitfalls. We bot…
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Are you getting ready to launch a new business? Or maybe you're preparing to launch a new product, or considering launching into a new sales channel? You don’t want to miss this episode! Jason McAlpin is the Founder and CEO of daio – a better sparkling water that combines incredible flavor with functional ingredients. The brand is set to launch in …
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Let's talk about the transformative power of branding in e-commerce with Tasha Romano from Form & Flow Studio. In this episode, we explore how branding goes far beyond traditional perceptions. A must-listen for those in the e-commerce industry looking to enhance their brand strategy. Note: This episode originally aired on YouTube on June 23, 2023. …
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