Elevator Talk: Oh So Easy, BamJam, Mimi Cheng's, BUNKY

Deals aren't slowing – they're stacking up. What explains five strategic acquisitions in under two weeks? The hosts break down the latest wave of CPG deals, including HOP WTR's sale to Constellation Brands and So Good So You's acquisition by a private investment group – just two of several recent moves. They explore what's fueling continued buyer activity and why non-alcoholic, functional, and better-for-you beverage brands remain especially attractive targets. Show notes: 0:20: Meet NYC. Good Hops, Good Investment. Pints Park. Frozen Dollars. Yoo Hoo! Yaza! – The hosts preview Taste Radio's upcoming NYC Meetup on April 16 and remind listeners that only registered attendees can join. They also unpack recent acquisitions of hop-infused beverage brand HOP WTR and wellness shot and energy drink company So Good So You, adding to a growing wave of CPG deals. The conversation explores rising demand for non-alcoholic, low-sugar, and functional beverages, along with the execution, focus, and timing required to build a successful brand. They also highlight Protein Pints' entry into a sports stadium as a case study in building awareness – from concessions to grocery shelves – and wrap with their product picks of the week, featuring indulgent coconut water, granola, globally inspired dips, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Brands in this episode: Huel, Monaco Cocktails, Dirty Shirley, HOP WTR, So Good So You, Hoplark, Spindrift, Athletic Brewing, Lucky Saint, Vive Organic, Kor, Suja, Sol-ti, Protein Pints, Hey!Hunger, Mason Dixie Foods, Zico, 100 Coconuts, Harmless Harvest, Yoo-Hoo, Harney & Sons, Good Mood, Culture Pop, Yaza, Cedar's, Spritz Society, Stellar Granola, Medase

How did two 20-something founders turn a $7,000 investment into one of the fastest-growing brands in CPG, now selling one unit every three seconds? It started with a deceptively simple idea, relentless sampling, meticulous planning and a confident bet that protein ice cream could outshine the biggest names in the game. I met up with Protein Pints co-founders Paul Reiss and Michael Meadows at Expo West 2026 to discuss the origins and development of their high-protein ice cream brand They share why leading with "protein" was key to standing out, how years of sampling and iteration shaped the product, and how they scaled from just 14 stores to over 10,000 in just under one year.    Fueled by strong branding, great taste, and relentless execution, their rapid rise highlights the power of product-market fit and founder conviction. Show notes: 0:20: Interview: Michael Meadows & Paul Reiss, Co-Founders, Protein Pints – Paul and Michael reflect on their longtime friendship and how their college experiences ultimately led them to start a company together. They explain that including "protein" in the brand name was a deliberate choice, meant to clearly signal the product's core benefit in a crowded frozen aisle. They also detail the more than two years they spent preparing for launch, rigorously testing recipes, packaging, and branding through extensive sampling and feedback. To fund the business, they reinvested earnings from a small service venture and supplemented that capital with prize money from pitch competitions. They credit strong sales, clear positioning, and a relentless focus on taste as the primary driver of repeat purchases. They acknowledge concerns about scaling too quickly, but lean on conviction in their product and timing, bolstered by a growing team and a network of mentors. Brands in this episode: Protein Pints, Taste Radio, SkinnyPop, Muscle Milk, Ben & Jerry's, Häagen-Dazs, Van Leeuwen, Super Coffee, Sauz

Billion-dollar deals, breakout brands, and "crazy ideas" that actually worked. The hosts dive into a wave of recent CPG acquisitions and what they signal for founders. Plus, a look at brands going global, a buzzworthy Negroni-inspired sparkling water, and a conversation with industry veteran Jeff Church and "Peaky Blinders" actor Matthew Postlethwaite on their upstart protein soda brand, Proda. Show notes: 0:20: Registration Reminder. Linked Deals. Pond Crossing. Lapping It Up. Mex-BBQ. – The hosts kick off with reminders about upcoming Taste Radio and BevNET events before diving into recent acquisitions involving Huel, Monaco RTD cocktails, and Dirty Shirley. They note that these deals underscore the importance of long-term persistence, strong execution, and adapting to shifting consumer trends, emphasizing that most brands take years to reach such milestones. The conversation also touches on the challenges of expanding between the U.S. and U.K., highlighting how cultural differences and varying levels of consumer familiarity can influence success. Later, Ray shares sips of Lapo's latest opus, Melissa spotlights an innovative tea, and John features a flavorful nut butter and Mexican BBQ sauces, the latter sparking a broader discussion about the rise of similar products. 30:29: Interview: Jeff Church & Matthew Postlethwaite, Co-Founders, Proda – On location at Expo West 2026, Jeff and Matthew talk about how Proda was designed to deliver nutrition in a lighter, refreshing format. They discuss the inspiration behind the brand, their focus on taste and positioning, and how they're approaching a competitive beverage landscape with an exclusive Sprouts launch. Brands in this episode: Proda, Huel, Monaco Cocktails, Dirty Shirley, Soylent, Sunnie, RXBAR, Vitaminwater, Goodles, Pop Chips, Liquid Death, Living Things, XOXO, Peeps, Crush, Slice, Suja, Lapo's, Sanzo, Mabi Tea, Bachan's, Ground Up, Paco Jones, Arriba, Tia Lupita, Tierra Negra, Oh My Dessert Butters, Olipop, Poppi, Rowdy Energy

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Tart, Soulkist Elixirs, Black Beverly Hills, boop and Area 51 Energy.   The founders and operators introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Chuck Casano, the co-founder & CEO of Pitaya Foods and HiTouch Libations.   He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.   Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.    Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Evergreen founder and CEO Emily Groden arrived at Expo West 2026 leading one of the fastest-growing brands in frozen breakfast. But just a few years earlier, she was hand-making waffles in a shared kitchen and pitching corner stores with a toaster tucked into a duffel bag. In this episode, Emily explains how she turned a personal frustration into a breakout brand built on clean-label frozen waffles and pancakes made with real, whole-food ingredients. She shares why she refused to compromise on quality, even when it made manufacturing more difficult, and how Evergreen is leveraging protein innovation, strong retail data and a sharper family-focused brand identity to scale across channels. It's a candid look at what it takes to build a modern CPG company – from zero experience to category leadership – while staying anchored to the mission of getting better food into more kids' hands. Show notes: 0:20: Emily Groden, Founder & CEO, Evergreen – Emily discusses the launch of Evergreen's new pancakes and a clean-label protein line made with Greek yogurt and egg whites. She reflects on the brand's origins and how she built the company from scratch with no CPG background, self-funding the business and landing early retail accounts through scrappy, hands-on efforts. She explains how a recent rebrand helped better communicate Evergreen's core audience of families, shifting from a health-first perception to a more joyful, accessible identity. The conversation also covers Evergreen's broader mission to improve kids' nutrition at scale, its focus on affordability and mass distribution, and how strong retail data has fueled expansion by proving the brand brings new, high-value shoppers into the category. Emily also touches on fundraising, founder discipline, and why staying anchored to a clear personal "north star" has been critical to building the brand without compromising its values. Brands in this episode: Evergreen

David Protein just got hit with a lawsuit claiming its macros don't add up, raising familiar questions about labeling, ingredients, and what happens when a fast-growing brand lands in the legal spotlight. The team breaks down the claims, why brands become litigation magnets, and whether consumers will care. Plus:  a readout from Seafood Expo North America and Stiller Soda's attention-grabbing social push. Show notes: 0:20: A Month-Ish Away. Stage Presence. Scaling, Suing. SENA Observations. Not Ben Stiller. Shots. – The hosts promote the upcoming Taste Radio NYC meetup and BevNET Live, including the New Beverage Showdown competition. They follow up with a discussion centered on David Protein and a class action lawsuit alleging discrepancies in the fat and calorie content of its bars. The hosts debate whether such controversies meaningfully impact consumer trust and how legal challenges are common for fast-growing brands. The conversation shifts to trends observed at the 2026 Seafood Expo North America trade show, where innovation focused on convenience, value-added products, and protein-rich offerings. The hosts also discuss a humorous social media campaign for Stiller's Soda featuring Ben Stiller, and highlight Monfefo wellness shots and indulgent "Killer Brownies." Brands in this episode: David Protein, RXBAR, Diet Coke, Aqua Mar, Stiller Soda, Monfefo, Lumen, Vive Organic, Killer Brownie, Goldilocks, Vita Coco

Gary Vaynerchuk believes the future of CPG might look a lot more like Pokémon than packaged goods. We met up with Gary at Expo West 2026, where the entrepreneur and marketing powerhouse discussed Very Luckee, his new better-for-you gummy brand that pairs the promise of ultra-clean ingredients with collectible stickers from his VeeFriends character universe.  In the conversation, Gary explains how the idea came together, why he's betting big on collectibles as a driver of consumer engagement, how organic social media will power the brand's growth, and why entrepreneurs should embrace "micro quitting" when a strategy or product isn't working. Show notes: 0:20: Gary Vaynerchuk, Co-Founder, Very Luckee – On location at Expo West 2026, Gary discusses the origins of Very Luckee, its focus on ultra-clean ingredients, and its approach to blending CPG with collectability. He shares his perspective on modern brand building, emphasizing the importance of consistently creating content across multiple social platforms. Gary also highlights the growing role of influencer advocacy and emerging commerce channels. He offers advice for entrepreneurs as well, encouraging founders to let go of tactics that aren't working while remaining committed to long-term ambitions. Gary also notes that entrepreneurship is a "hits-driven" business that requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to pivot when necessary. Brands in this episode: Very Luckee, Empathy Wines

Target is expanding its food and beverage footprint with new store concepts and larger grocery sections – potentially creating more space for emerging brands. In this episode, the hosts discuss what it means for startups and also spotlight notable trends and brands from Expo West. We also revisit interviews from our Miami meetup, including a conversation with angel investor Spencer Slaine on what he looks for in early-stage brands. Show notes: 0:20: Expo Energy. IRL All Year. Nom News. Bullseye, Babe. Mez & The Gang. Citrus Boost. – The hosts recap the energy and standout trends from Expo West and preview upcoming industry events, including BevNET Live and Taste Radio meetups. Melissa highlights a Nombase Podcast episode that features insights from investors who launched their own CPG brand and revealed how they think about pricing, ingredients, and growth. The hosts also discuss Target's expanding focus on food and beverage and how founders can take advantage, highlight a major funding round for protein bar brand Mezcla and reflect on brands born during the COVID era. They sample several new products, including espresso sodas, probiotic mouthwash (yep) and cocoa-flavored bone broth. 32:27: Interviews from Taste Radio's Miami Meetup – We kick things off with Spencer Slaine, a founding member of The Angel Group, who explains how the early-stage investment network helps early-stage CPG brands bridge the funding gap with both capital and operator expertise. He is followed by Little Saints founder and CEO Megan Klein who shares how her functional, non-alcoholic cocktail brand was born out of  a personal shift toward moderation and has become an anchor in the fast-growing adult non-alcoholic beverage category. Rounding out the discussion is AB InBev's Conrad Barrett who talks about PerfectDraft, a countertop system designed to bring bar-quality draft beer into the home, highlighting how consumer feedback and AI-driven insights are shaping its growth.  Brands in this episode: Little Saints, PerfectDraft, Stella Artois, Guinness, Athletic Brewing, Lucky Energy, Kate Farms, Trip, Mingle Mocktails, Cadooz, Mezcla, Poppi, Fishwife, B.T.R. Nation, Unite Foods, Folkland, Farmwell, Painterland Sisters, One Degree Organics, Moozy, Singing Pastures, Esspo, Manhattan Special, Basicase, Pikora, PWR UP, Good & Gather

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Sous Casa, Love&Cookies, Caltein, Madres Churros and TofuGo.   The founders and operators introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Allison Ball, the founder of Food Biz Wiz.   She offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.   Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.    Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Eight years after his first appearance on Taste Radio, Nick Green, co-founder and CEO of pioneering online grocer Thrive Market, returns with a clear message: the future of healthy living will be shaped less by trend-chasing and more by trust, technology and simplicity. In this episode, Nick explains how Thrive is navigating a rapidly evolving wellness landscape molded by AI, GLP-1 drugs and growing consumer skepticism, while staying grounded in its mission to make healthy living more accessible and affordable. He also shares how Thrive evaluates brands, why taste matters most, and why he increasingly sees the company – which generated over $900 million in revenue in 2025 – not just as an online grocery store, but as a personalized health platform for modern consumers. Show notes: 0:20: Nick Green, Co-Founder & CEO, Thrive Market  – Nick reflects on how both he and Thrive Market have evolved since his first appearance on the podcast in 2018. While acknowledging volatility across the natural products industry, he explains why Thrive remains focused on enduring trends around health, transparency and accessibility. Nick discusses how Thrive defines "healthy," how it uses data to personalize discovery for members, and why he believes AI will deepen the company's relationship with subscribers. He also explains how Thrive's membership model attracts a nationwide base of "wellness champions," and how its strict quality standards guide its curation strategy. He shares why authenticity and taste matter most when evaluating brands, and how Thrive serves as a launchpad for emerging companies. Nick also discusses Thrive's growing own-brand business, weighs in on trends like protein, functional mushrooms and non-alcoholic beverages, and describes how the company increasingly sees itself not just as an online grocer, but as a technology platform helping consumers navigate healthy living. Brands in this episode: JOON, SkinnyDipped, Mud\Wtr, Four Sigmatic, Quantum Energy Squares