In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker interviews Steph Nightingale, founder of Stimmie, a premium, reusable toothpick designed to address the gaps traditional floss and toothbrushes leave behind. Drawing on over 13 years of experience in dental care, Steph shares how personal recovery, patient insights, and a commitment to quality led to the creation of Stimmie.

The conversation explores product innovation, early-stage funding, manufacturing partnerships, and the importance of retailer and consumer feedback in building a sustainable brand. Steph also discusses merchandising strategies, scaling challenges, and her vision for high-profile collaborations that could further elevate the brand.

This episode offers valuable lessons in customer-centric product development and the realities of bringing a health-focused consumer product to market.

Listen now to learn how Steph transformed a simple dental tool into a growing brand with national recognition — and why truly listening to customers is key to lasting success.

Listen in as they share about:

• Customer Feedback & Development
• Funding & Business Growth
• Manufacturing & Operations
• Retail Strategy & Merchandising
• Sustainability & Industry Perspective
• Community & Networking

Episode Links:

Website: https://www.shopstimmie.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-nightingale-899b6118/?originalSubdomain=ca

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff speaks with Ryn Hall and Anthony Iuzzolino from the boutique CPG law firm Giannuzzi Lewendon, to dive deep into the legal backbone of operations in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) world. They explore the critical components of co-manufacturing, supply, and distribution agreements—covering everything from pricing structures and exclusivity to intellectual property, volume commitments, termination clauses, and the real-world risks brands face when contracts go sideways.

Whether you’re dealing with a first-time co-man, evaluating DSD distributors, or navigating tricky termination fees, this episode is packed with expert legal insights that can help founders avoid costly mistakes and ensure operational agreements support long-term growth and optionality.

Don’t miss this valuable episode – Tune in now!

If you want legal guidance tailored to your CPG brand, reach out to rhall@gllaw.us or anthony@gllaw.us directly or visit gllaw.us to learn more.

Listen in as they share about:

• Co-Manufacturing (CoMan) Agreements
• Supply and Distribution Contracts
• Intellectual Property (IP) Protections
• 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) & Warehousing Agreements
• Distribution Agreements
• Pricing and Cost Management
• Contract Negotiation Strategy
• General Legal and Operational Strategy

Episode Links:
Website: https://gllaw.us/

Email: anthony@gllaw.us
Email: rhall@gllaw.us

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics

If you’re ready for the new standard for business banking,
Head to www.rho.co/startupcpgto learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Operations and Finance Contributor Hannah Dittman sits down with Todd Hoffman, Chief Operating Officer at Brightland, to discuss the strategic and operational challenges of scaling a modern CPG brand.

Todd shares his unique transition from a decade in investment banking to leading operations at Chloe’s and now Brightland. The conversation explores the evolving role of the COO, key considerations for omnichannel growth, and the tactical realities of expanding from direct-to-consumer into retail. Todd also offers valuable insights on supply chain strategy, co-manufacturer relationships, inventory planning, and when to implement infrastructure such as 3PLs or ERP systems.

Whether you're a founder entering grocery for the first time or an operator looking to build scalable processes, this episode delivers practical guidance and candid reflections from an industry leader.

Listen in as they share about:

• Overview of Brightland
• Role of COO & Operations in CPG
• Operations & Supply Chain Best Practices
• Retail Strategy & Grocery Channel Expansion
• Product Development Insights
• Co-Manufacturing Relationships & Contracts
• Scaling Strategy & Infrastructure
• Lessons from Operations

Episode Links:

Website: https://brightland.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hoffman-97aa6a4/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Hannah's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker speaks with Jesrina Arshad, founder and CEO of PurelyB, a wellness company rooted in Malaysia’s ancient herbal traditions. Jesrina shares how her personal health challenges inspired the creation of a brand that bridges centuries-old remedies with modern-day convenience—offering functional herbal blends in a unique "Pixie Stick" format.

Together, they explore the science and story behind the rare Tiger Milk Mushroom and Pegaga, and how PurelyB collaborates with indigenous communities, traditional healers, and research institutions to develop effective, sustainable products.

Jesrina also discusses her entrepreneurial journey—from bootstrapping and pre-order launches to achieving global reach and building a mission-driven business with a strong focus on health transformation and cultural preservation.

Whether you’re a CPG founder, wellness enthusiast, or simply curious about functional mushrooms and ancient botanicals, this episode offers valuable insight into innovation, resilience, and purpose-led brand building.

Tune in now!

Listen in as they share about:

• Ancient Remedies & Science Integration
• Product Development & Launch Journey
• Business Growth & Strategy
• US Market Expansion
• Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing
• Natural vs. Pharmaceutical

Episode Links:

Website: https://purelyb.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesrinaarshad/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

If you’re ready for the new standard for business banking,
Head to www.rho.co/startupcpgto learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff speaks with David Fudge, Co-Founder and CEO of Aplós, and Amanda Amos, Investor at Collaborative Fund, for a comprehensive discussion on the current fundraising landscape in consumer packaged goods.

Together, they break down what has — and hasn’t — changed in the early-stage fundraising environment, with actionable advice for founders from both an operator’s and investor’s perspective. Amanda shares how Collaborative Fund evaluates startups, what investors look for in pitch decks, how to think about market size, and the importance of aligning with the right capital partners. David offers hard-earned insights from building Aplós, including how he navigated early fundraising, how his pitch evolved over time, and what advice he gives to other founders stepping into the fundraising arena.

They also discuss bootstrapping vs. raising venture capital, SAFE notes vs. priced rounds, how to build authentic investor relationships, and the real expectations around valuation and ownership.

Whether you're a founder preparing to raise or just curious about how the process works behind the scenes, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and candid reflections.

🎧 If you’re building in CPG — or just want to sharpen your fundraising game — don’t miss this one. Listen now!

Listen in as they share about:

• Fundraising Strategy & Venture Capital
• How to approach different investor types
• Pitching & Due Diligence
• How VCs Evaluate TAM
• Founder-Investor Alignment
• Investor Perspective & Fund Dynamics

Episode Links:
Website: https://www.aplos.world/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwfudge/

Website: https://collabfund.com/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaamos/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics

If you’re ready for the new standard for business banking,
Head to www.rho.co/startupcpgto learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, our Operations and Finance Correspondent Hannah Dittman speaks with Greer Tessler and Luke Goldstein, Managing Partners at Simple Food Ventures. They explore the firm’s strategic approach to early-stage CPG investing, with a focus on “better-for-you” grocery staples and their unique partnership with Albertsons to help brands scale through retail distribution.

Greer and Luke share valuable insights into what they look for in founders, the importance of operational expertise, and the business fundamentals that set companies apart. They also provide guidance on navigating valuations, the fundraising process, and building transparent, effective relationships with investors.

For founders preparing to raise capital or operators seeking a deeper understanding of the investment landscape, this episode offers practical advice and clear takeaways.

Listen now to gain expert insights on positioning your brand for growth and investment readiness.

Listen in as they share about:

• Simple Food Ventures Overview
• Investment Criteria & Strategy
• Fundraising Process & Diligence
• Valuation and Dilution Guidance
• Pitching Guidance
• Founder Fit & Dynamics
• Capital Raising Stages
• Advice for Founders on Investor Selection
• How to Contact Simple Food Ventures

Episode Links:

Website: https://simplefoodventures.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greer-tessler-50256640/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-goldstein-a90093159/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Hannah's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Editor Caitlin Bricker speaks with Ariel Altman and Ronny Berger, co-founders of Figa Foods, a company introducing cupuaçu—a Brazilian superfruit seed—as a sustainable and innovative alternative to traditional chocolate. Ariel and Ronny share their journey of discovering cupuaçu, building a supply chain from Brazil, and navigating the challenges of bringing a novel ingredient to the U.S. market.

They also explore the global cocoa crisis, the environmental benefits of cupuaçu, and how Figa Foods is positioned to offer a meaningful alternative in the confectionery space. Additionally, Ariel and Ronny reflect on their experiences as co-founders and life partners, offering valuable insights for first-time entrepreneurs in the CPG industry.

Listen in to learn how Figa Foods is carving out a new category in confectionery—rooted in sustainability, transparency, and global inspiration.

Listen in as they share about:

• Product Overview
• Cupuaçu as a Superfood
• Supply Chain and Farmer Partnerships
• Challenges in Product Development
• Business and Personal Partnership
• Cocoa Crisis
• Launch and Market Response
• Future Vision & Advice for Founders

Episode Links:

Website: https://figafoods.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-altman-396b922b/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnyberger/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

If you’re ready for the new standard for business banking,
Head to www.rho.co/startupcpgto learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff speaks with Sam Tichnor, founder of FFUPs, a uniquely branded puff snack company that was focused on flavor innovation over health claims. Sam candidly shares the full arc of his entrepreneurial journey—from conceptualizing and launching the brand during the pandemic, to navigating DTC and retail channels, and the complex challenges that ultimately led to winding down the business.

The conversation covers critical lessons on brand positioning, operational execution, inventory management, and the importance of marketing strategy—especially for solo founders. Sam reflects on the strategic decisions that shaped the brand, where things went wrong, and the insights he now applies in his advisory work at Pale Blue Dot, supporting emerging CPG brands with finance and operations expertise.

This episode offers valuable takeaways for founders, operators, and anyone involved in building and scaling consumer products.

Don't miss this episode. Listen now!

Listen in as they share about:

• Branding and Product Development
• Marketing and Awareness
• Operations and Manufacturing
• Retail and Distribution Strategy
• Financial Management and Capital
• Reflections on Failure and Growth

Episode Links:
Website: https://ffups.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samueltichnor/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

If you’re ready for the new standard for business banking,
Head to www.rho.co/startupcpgto learn more.