On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Matthew Kubick, Founder and President of Local Demo Service, about the importance of product demos for building brand loyalty. Matthew explains how demos help brands move from innovation sets to regular shelf placements in major retailers like Sprouts. He also shares his thoughts on how understanding trends is critical for brand success and why natural retailers are the future.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is joined by Gage Mitchell, Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Modern Species, to discuss building a purpose-led brand agency. They explore the benefits of choosing a niche rooted in impact, blending strategy with storytelling, and why collaboration beats competition. Gage also talks about scaling responsibly without losing culture or mission.
Daniel R. Clarke On The Importance Of Brand Positioning
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Daniel R. Clarke, Founder and Lead Consultant of Tea At Four LLC, to discuss the importance of brand positioning. They explore how big CPG brands build lasting loyalty, why challenger brands win with speed and focus, and how a sharp point of difference cuts through crowded categories. Daniel also shares advice on using AI without losing your brand’s core identity.
Collin Pollock: Building A Mission-Driven BBQ Brand
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Collin Pollock, Founder of WheelyQ Barbecue, to discuss building a mission-driven BBQ brand. They explore turning personal obstacles into entrepreneurship, creating clean sauces with simple ingredients, and donating profits to SMA research. Collin also shares advice on staying persistent and never holding back.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is joined by Eric Martindale, Founder and CEO of Elite Commerce Group, to discuss how digital transformation is reshaping the future of retail. They explore BJ’s push toward digitization, Target’s delivery race, and Walmart’s e-commerce leadership. Eric also discusses how social media and AI commerce will soon impact in-store shopping.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is joined by Dinos Stamoulis, Co-founder and Chief of Awesomeness at Paleonola, to discuss building a grain-free brand rooted in real ingredients and real values. They unpack what it’s like to launch before a trend exists, why educating consumers matters as much as selling, and how staying focused protects a brand’s soul. Dinos also gives advice on avoiding trend chasing and making long-term decisions that actually last.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Richard “Rich” Moniz, Founder of Rich Insights Research, about eye tracking and shopper behavior. They break down how eye tracking works in real shopping scenarios, why minimalism often outperforms cluttered designs, and how brands can stand out and be understood in seconds. Rich also shares why testing packaging before launch can save brands from costly retail mistakes.
Laura Markewicz Of Lotza On Turning Trends Into Traction
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Laura Markewicz, Founder and CEO of Lotza, about turning cultural trends into real consumer traction. They dig into why the “middle” drinker is underserved, how Lotza is redefining party soda as a modern celebration staple, and what it takes to build a breakout beverage brand in a crowded category. Laura also discusses repositioning Lotza for scale and what she has learned navigating the transition from agency life to CPG founder.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Emily McIntyre, CEO of Swift Coffee Sourcing, about her remarkable journey in the world of coffee. Emily shares her experience rebuilding after major setbacks, the importance of authentic storytelling, and how to build resilient relationships with coffee producers in places like Ethiopia and Peru. She also talks about how small importers can survive and thrive in today’s volatile coffee market.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Jason Davis, Founder and Brewer at Reveland Brewing, about the rise of non-alcoholic beers. They dive into the science behind crafting a truly great NA beer and discuss Jason’s journey from R&D brewer to founder. The conversation explores the role of innovation in brewing, Jason’s efforts to push boundaries, and the challenges and excitement of this rapidly growing category.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Kat Weaver, CEO and Founder of Power to Pitch, about the complex world of investor psychology. They cover the psychological mistakes founders make when raising capital, why choosing the right investor is more important than the amount of money, and how understanding investor psychology can make or break a business.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is joined by Matthew and Jasmine von Teichman, Founders of Purplesful Snacking Popcorn, to discuss the mission behind their brand and the power of combining purpose with taste. The episode covers their journey of starting with a vision before a product, how purple corn became the cornerstone of their popcorn, and the incredible impact of supporting children’s breakfast programs.
