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 Courtney O’Brien, Founder of The Outlier Initiative, about helping challenger brands carve out their space in the food and beverage industry. Courtney shares her journey from leading Fortune 500 brand strategies to empowering underdog brands, key lessons from her time at Coca-Cola, trends shaping the future of the beverage market, and actionable advice for founders looking to strengthen their brand positioning.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Curtis Knight II, CEO and Co-founder of Lemonicious Drink Co., about crafting premium beverages. Curtis discusses his journey redefining premium beverages with Lemonicious Drink Co., the importance of using real ingredients and the taste difference it makes, and how Turkish botanicals and local partnerships create unique flavor fusions.
Read MoreIn this special compilation episode of the Firebelly Social Show, we revisit some of Duncan Alney's most memorable episodes. Featuring Mika Shino, Eric Gutknecht, Raina Kumra, Peter Gialantzis, and Joe Rotondo, these experts share business tips to thrive in the food and beverage industry.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Matthew Kubick, Founder and President of Local Demo Service, about building successful, mission-driven brands. Matthew discusses Local Demo Service and what it does, the mission behind Sovereign Sustainability on YouTube, essential strategies for effective product demonstrations, and the challenges and rewards of working with emerging brands.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Samuel Rose, Founder of RoseBud Ice Cream, about creating America's best ice cream. Samuel discusses the origins and mission of RoseBud Ice Cream, the creative process involved in developing memorable and high-quality ice cream flavors, the challenges of frozen product distribution, and how RoseBud differentiates itself in the marketplace.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Samuel Anderson, Managing Partner at BevAssets, about overcoming challenges in the beverage industry. Samuel discusses how BevAssets helps food and beverage brands build meaningful connections and grow their retail presence, why putting people first and being kind drives successful leadership, strategies for emerging beverage brands to thrive in the market, and the impact of social media presence on brand awareness and retail success.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Stacy Moritz, Owner and Fearless Leader of Secret Aardvark, about creating unique products and establishing a strong brand presence. Stacy discusses the adventurous origin story behind Secret Aardvark's name, the challenges and fearlessness in leadership, the transition from hot sauces to nuts, and finding work-life balance as an entrepreneur.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Peter Gialantzis, Chief Merchandising Officer at Pod Foods, about the transformative world of grocery distribution. Peter discusses Pod Foods' role in curating and expanding shelf space for niche products in retail, the unique match-making strategy it implements between retailers and brands, and the significance of connecting direct-to-consumer data with brick-and-mortar strategies.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Arif Khan and Sabeen Hasan, Co-founders of Chikka Chikka, about redefining traditional South Asian fennel seed mixes. They share their journey of repurposing an abandoned biker bar into an award-winning restaurant, the origin story of Chikka Chikka, and the health benefits of fennel seed mixes.
Read MoreOn this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Ladd Wahlen, Co-owner of Roots Potato Chips, about merging sustainability with snack production. Ladd discusses how his farming background and commitment to the planet power Roots Potato Chips, the environmental and consumer health benefits of its farming techniques, and the challenges sustainable brands face in navigating the competitive retail space.
Read MoreOn 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.
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