Breaking into the food and beverage industry is tough, especially for first-time founders. Between sourcing, packaging, and scaling, the learning curve can feel endless and isolating. So how can emerging brands gain traction without losing momentum?

According to Jordan Buckner, a veteran entrepreneur who built multiple CPG companies from the ground up, the key is access to knowledge, community, and strategic resources. He highlights how so many early-stage founders face steep disadvantages due to a lack of industry connections or insider know-how. By simplifying the journey through curated tools and networks, entrepreneurs are better equipped to avoid burnout and scale smartly.

On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Jordan Buckner, Founder of Foodbevy, about how he empowers emerging brands with practical tools and a strong support network. Jordan explains why community matters more than ever, how to use LinkedIn strategically, and what separates successful founders from the rest. He also shares insights into the Foodbevy Insider Box and how it drives product discovery.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [2:39] Jordan Buckner shares why he created Foodbevy
• [4:21] Why it’s so hard for underrepresented founders to succeed in CPG
• [5:22] How Foodbevy builds founder community through direct outreach and mastermind pods
• [8:38] Foodbevy’s “Guide to Building a Food & Beverage Brand” and why it’s a game-changer for startups
• [11:29] How Foodbevy Insider Box is fueling discovery for buyers, agencies, and investors
• [16:44] Jordan’s LinkedIn strategy and why it’s a must-use platform for CPG founders
• [24:17] Advice on staying grounded, finding product fit, and when to pivot
• [28:12] What is the three C framework? 
• [38:01] Jordan’s long-term vision for Foodbevy and commitment to supporting founders

About Jordan Buckner:

Jordan Buckner is the Founder of Foodbevy, an online community that helps food and beverage entrepreneurs grow from startup to scale through education, networking, and curated resources. As a serial entrepreneur and startup advisor, he is passionate about elevating minority-owned and women-led brands in the CPG space. He launched Foodbevy in April 2020 to reduce gaps in access to suppliers, investors, retail buyers, and tools for emerging brands.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Duncan Alney on LinkedIn
• Firebelly Marketing
• Jordan Buckner on LinkedIn
• Foodbevy
• TeaSquares
• Isabella “Bella” Hughes on LinkedIn
• Semira Nikou on LinkedIn
• Mark A. Samuel on LinkedIn
• Peter Rahal on LinkedIn
• Arshad Bahl on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments:

• “Building any business is really hard. It doesn’t have to be this damn hard.”
• “My whole goal is to democratize access to this information to any and every founder.”
• “You should be making more money from selling to customers than you are selling to investors.”
• “Everyone wants to be like that first person to, like, learn about, share brand, get that word of mouth.”
• “I found the thing that drives me and that gives me passion and purpose.”

Action Steps: 

1. Build community through peer mastermind groups: Creating small founder pods fosters trust, shared learning, and emotional support during the entrepreneurial journey.
2. Centralize educational resources for growth: Having an all-in-one guide reduces confusion, saves time, and prepares founders for each stage of the process.
3. Curate discovery tools like sample boxes: Getting products into the hands of decision-makers builds awareness, feedback, and potential sales traction.
4. Use LinkedIn to form industry relationships: Engaging directly with founders and buyers builds credibility, trust, and long-term brand visibility.
5. Focus on customer-first business models: Prioritizing profitable sales over fundraising promotes sustainability and reduces long-term financial stress.