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.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Eric Martindale, Founder and CEO of Elite Commerce Group, about the importance of brand awareness in e-commerce growth. They explore how awareness impacts profitability, why off-platform traffic gives brands an edge, and how retail media drives ROI. Eric also talks about the future role of AI search in shaping brand visibility.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney speaks with John Roulac, Founder and CEO of Coco Clean, to talk about the courage it takes to challenge entrenched systems. They discuss his journey from hemp pioneer to eco-innovator, the mission to replace 100 million plastic detergent bottles, and strategies for making sustainable products mainstream. John also shares insights on building company culture and fostering authenticity in business.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Anna Ison, Founder and Principal Creative at Auros Design, to discuss designing food and beverage brands that win on the shelf. They explore how strategic packaging drives brand recognition, why longevity matters more than trends, and the power of cohesive portfolio systems. Anna also shares her journey as a minority creative and advises on building courage in design.
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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.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Mike Levinson, Founder of FS Octopus, about how emerging brands can win outside of traditional retail. Mike explains why most brands fail in retail, how to build distribution through alternative food service channels, and what makes a product truly market-ready. He also discusses hyper-specific audiences, the role of emotional branding, and leveraging LinkedIn for growth in the CPG sector.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Belle Sharon, Co-founder and President of Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn, about how family and food science drive brand transformation. Belle explains the motivation behind their rebrand, the importance of consumer trust, and how her team stays ahead of trends. She also discusses the snack aisle challenges, personality-driven flavors, and retail expansion.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney interviews Gregory Willis, Founder and President of Senspire, about the future of food innovation. Gregory discusses how data integration drives smarter product development, the dangers of trend-chasing, and his philosophy on building for the whole industry. He also touches on customer-led feature design, mentorship through LinkedIn, and the art of standing out on the trade show floor.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney interviews Jay Baer, Co-founder of Slingshot, about the evolving craft tequila landscape. Jay explains how tequila seekers discover brands, what they value most, and the critical role of peer collaboration. He also shares insights on price sensitivity, the power of social media, and the importance of storytelling in building a memorable tequila brand.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Brooks Addington, CEO of TÖST Beverages, about building inclusive, alcohol-free celebrations. Brooks discusses how meaningful occasions can be elevated without alcohol, shares insights into product development and market trends, and explores the role of pricing in accessibility. He also talks about product launches, cultural shifts in drinking habits, and the importance of community connection.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Paul Fricke, Daniel Sobek, Oliver Sindlev, Mark Tarner, Kristen Gilkison, Maxi Heidenblut, and Yechiel Weiss on standing out at the Sweets and Snacks Expo. They discuss how innovation fuels growth, retail expansion, and health-focused snacking. The group dives into brand authenticity, flavor creation, and staying agile in a saturated market.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney interviews Elvin Willgrass, Kyle Tilley, Jason Burke, John McCone, Kabir Khurana, Andrew Ma, and Eric Martindale, food entrepreneurs, about building inclusive treats for all. They discuss the power of innovation, flavor nostalgia, and consumer-first design. They also share insights on family-led food startups, global flavor trends, and the importance of digital retail media from six additional guests.
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On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney interviews Dror Sharon, Alexandre Bennet, Joanne Montz, Tobe Armendariz, Mayasari Effendi, Matt Alvord, and Daniel Scharff, founders of renowned food brands, on how they’re redefining what it means to build impactful snack brands. They discuss heritage-inspired innovation, winning products, and ingredient transparency. They also touch on go-to-market tips, cultural storytelling, and mission-driven growth.
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