Join Christian Quie, VP of Sales at ChocXO, and Lillard Anthony Wong, CEO of Owlvericks Coffee, discuss how their brands are responding to sharp ingredient cost increases caused by shifting trade policies and environmental factors and. They share approaches to managing supply chain volatility, strategies for alternative sourcing, methods for communicating price changes, and ways to maintain margin and product quality.

Consumers say they want sustainable packaging, but what do they actually care about, and how can brands deliver without tanking margins? Martin Caballero (BevNET), Simon Gainey (Hard Working Packaging), and Benjamin Puncher (Mintel) unpack it all, from the power of clear front-of-pack messaging to the value of recyclable materials and packaging that reinforces brand identity. They spotlight brands like Liquid Death, which prove that when sustainability is woven into the core story and executed in a way that feels authentic, it can drive consumer connection and strengthen the bottom line.

In part one of this two-part series, DAPI founder Maddie Frank teams up with Suite 9C—the design studio behind brands like BodyArmor, Lemon Perfect, and Core Hydration—to rethink her packaging and bring the brand closer to its vision. This episode covers how to make your packaging design work smarter, not harder; how to position a non-alc product in a fast-evolving category; how and why to infuse your brand identity into the design; and how to communicate essential info quickly enough to catch consumers in the moment of purchase.

Jana Goodbaugh of Happy Wolf and Jason Smith, the “Demo Dynamo” from Ithaca Hummus and former Perfect Bar retail lead, share how to turn demos from a cost center into a growth engine. From pinpointing the best sampling days to building a passionate demo team, they reveal insider strategies for driving product discovery, converting samplers into loyal customers, and proving value to retailers through measurable sales impact.

Nicola Buffo, co-founder of Pistachio—a viral pistachio butter brand dominating DTC and expanding in indie retail—is on a mission to decode CPG’s “grow slow and steady” mantra. What does smart growth really look like when you’re bootstrapped? Pierre Jamet, Fishwife’s Chief Sales Officer, shares his ingenious tricks for conserving cash, boosting velocities, and navigating retail’s competitive landscape.

At Expo West, everyone was either carrying the Belgian Boys pink bag or talking about it. The line around their booth was for the bag—waffles and pancakes took a backseat. Known for great swag, did Belgian Boys go too big this time? Was it worth the investment? When the bags ran out, did the brand see their show goals realized? Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, reveals whether it paid off and what they learned from the experience.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Expo West 2025 with two key decision-makers: Casey Gaston (Whole Foods Market) and Molly Santuli (Springdale Ventures). They break down standout trends, name breakthrough brands, and reveal what made certain products impossible to ignore. Learn how to network with decision makers like these, secure key meetings, and craft the perfect follow-up for real retail and investment opportunities.

We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place. Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.