Andrew Warburton from Peak Beverage Co. joins Phil and Kenny to share his journey building a premium fruit soda brand in BC's competitive beverage market. From launching with minimal research to now being in 175+ stores across Western Canada, Andrew opens up about the realities of scaling a local CPG brand.

In this conversation, you'll hear about Peak's channel strategy—why food service and wineries have been their sweet spot, how Amazon opened up eastern markets without expensive direct-to-consumer shipping, and the importance of staying connected to customers through farmer's markets and demos. Andrew discusses navigating distributor relationships, managing seasonal fluctuations in the food and beverage industry, and why understanding your consumer and picking your spots matters more than being everywhere.

Whether you're launching a beverage brand or scaling a local food product, Andrew's honest, practical approach to building Peak Beverage Co. offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, distribution strategy, and staying true to your brand.

Thank you to LGDF Wholesale for sponsoring this episode. You can find them at: www.lgdfwholesale.com

You can find Andrew at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewwarburt0n/

Check out Peak Beverage here: https://www.drinkpeak.ca/

Buy it on Amazon here:

Apple Rhubarb: https://a.co/d/eRoHXAP

Haskap Lemonade: https://a.co/d/iXhD0XY

Tell us which one is your favourite here: https://www.instagram.com/thiscommercelife/

Building Canada's Next Generation of Retail Leaders with Dr. Janice Rudkowski

Ever wonder where retail professionals actually learn their craft? Dr. Janice Rudkowski from Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Retail Management joins Phil and Kenny to discuss Canada's only undergraduate degree program dedicated exclusively to retail education. From merchandise planning and supply chain logistics to experiential learning with industry partners, Janice reveals how TMU is preparing students for careers across the entire retail ecosystem—from fashion buying at Sephora and Lululemon to emerging food retail opportunities. The conversation explores the evolution of Canadian grocery retail, the importance of regional players like Sobeys and Metro, and why hands-on industry connections are critical for developing the next generation of retail talent. If you've ever wondered how to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world retail execution, this episode is for you.

Find Dr Rudkowski here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicerudkowski/

Thank you to Field Agent Canada for their support: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Bryan from Market 49 Fine Foods joins Phil and Kenny to share the story of how a COVID-era side hustle for bored chefs turned into a thriving frozen meal business that's redefining quality in the freezer aisle.

What started as cooking for friends and family who couldn't or wouldn't cook has grown into a multi-location operation across BC's Lower Mainland. Bryan opens up about his culinary journey that began out of challenge (pushing back against his mom's lunches as a kid), his 100+ years of combined chef experience with his partners, and why they saw a massive gap in the frozen food market.

In this conversation, you'll hear about Market 49's unique approach to premium frozen meals, their strategic distribution through independent retailers like Williams and Urban Fare, their pop-up model testing new markets, and the challenges of scaling a food business while maintaining chef-quality standards. Bryan also shares insights on pricing strategy, the realities of running a commercial kitchen, why they've avoided the Big 3 grocery chains, and how they're building a loyal customer base across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and beyond.

Whether you're a food entrepreneur looking to break into retail, curious about the frozen food category, or just want to understand how small brands grow in Canada's competitive CPG landscape, this episode delivers practical insights and real talk about building a food business from the ground up.

Check out Market 49 here: https://market49.ca/

Find Bryan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-swartz-936a122b0/