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 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.
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.
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