Hosted by Duncan Alney
We feature leaders of mission-driven food and beverage brands. Come listen to origin stories - and insights about current industry trends, connecting with your audience, building a community, making the world a better place, and of course, #founderlife.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Ketan Vakil, Founder of Gourmend Foods, about navigating food sensitivities and entrepreneurship. Ketan shares his health challenges that led to founding Gourmend Foods, the FODMAP diet and its impact on gut health, and the challenges and successes in building Gourmend Foods.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Joe Rotondo, Founder and CEO of Smearcase, about reinventing ice cream with healthier alternatives. Joe discusses the inspiration behind Smearcase, the importance of a sense of place in ensuring product integrity and sustainability, and the future direction of Smearcase, focusing on mastering classic, high-quality flavors.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Eric Martindale, Founder and CEO of Elite Commerce Group, about future-focused strategies for brand success in retail. Eric discusses the value of a strong retail media plan, the future of automation and its impact on retail and fulfillment, and the value of adopting a culture of innovation and testing within your agency.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Raina Kumra, Founder and CEO of Spicewell, about the power of spices in food and health. Raina shares the history and critical importance of spices in our diet and global culture, the game-changing health benefits of spices, the inspiration behind creating Spicewell, and the importance of ethical spice sourcing.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Bryn Jones, VP of Marketing of Huse Culinary, about expanding iconic restaurant products into national retail markets. Bryn discusses how Huse Culinary helps restaurant brands thrive, the challenges and strategies in product expansion, the backstory of the vanilla cherry bourbon, Barkeep Vodka, and Rare Saint Whiskey, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Eric Gutknecht, CEO of CharcutNuvo, about redefining the organic sausage industry. Eric discusses how early involvement in a family business can shape a leader, CharcutNuvo's philosophy and operations, the benefits of deliberate sourcing, in-house manufacturing, and dedication to improving the community and environment.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Josh Sizemore, a seasoned entrepreneur, about his journey in the food and beverage sector. Josh discusses his latest new restaurant venture and its thoughtful approach to hospitality, the impact of personal hardships and health scares on his perspective on life and entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and insights on the rising "better for you" food trend.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Aisha Chottani, Founder and CEO of Moment, about creating a beverage that encourages calmness and mental clarity. Aisha discusses how businesses can address larger societal issues, shares her social media engagement strategies, explains the intention behind creating the Strawberry Rose flavor, and offers tips for maintaining a positive dynamic when working with a spouse in a startup.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Carlee Kelly, Founder and Chief Product Innovator of Lettuce Eat, about innovative food development and nutrition science. Carlee shares her unique route into food innovation, the importance of meeting consumer health needs within a challenging food landscape, microbiome health and its role in today’s food choices, and the complexity behind project management in food innovation and product development.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Nadia Liu Spellman, CEO and Founder of Dumpling Daughter, about turning cherished memories into a unique culinary brand. Nadia shares how she grew her brand while maintaining the essence of her family's culinary legacy, the role of social media in reaching new customers, the inspiration behind her cookbook, and marketing strategies for boosting the visibility and growth of a food business.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Ted Dumbauld, Founder and Co-CEO of SoNo 1420, about distilling and marketing in the spirits industry. Ted shares the inspiration behind starting SoNo 1420 at the intersection of alcohol and the evolving cannabis space, the story behind its naming, the innovative concept behind Threesome Cocktails, and the upcoming breakthroughs in THC-infused, non-alcoholic beverages.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Laura Jakobsen, Co-founder and CEO of RIOT Energy, about creating a clean alternative in the energy drink industry. Laura talks about RIOT Energy's fight against artificial ingredients and commitment to natural alternatives, how a genuine commitment to health and wellness trends can shape product development, approach to innovation and customer feedback, and self-care strategies for balanced entrepreneurship.
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