August Vega founded Malk Organics after realizing even the “healthy” nut milks on shelf were filled with gums and oils. What started as a kitchen project with sprouted nuts, water, and salt became a movement that’s changing how people eat.
In this episode:
Building a new identity through business + motherhood
Loving yourself enough to know what’s good for you
Why wellness isn’t free — especially in CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Mothers are a valuable asset to any company — and deserve recognition for working, leading, and experiencing life differently than men
Tune in to hear how August is redefining transparency, authenticity, and nourishment.
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To connect with August click HERE
To learn more about Functional Medicine & AMMD click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
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This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love (CPG) elevates your brand through engaging in-store demos, meaningful customer interactions, and creating lasting impressions.
Cheers to a new episode featuring sisters Emily and Sarah Mack — founders of Offline Wine (formerly Vinat).
In this episode:
👩👩👧👧 Breaking into a male-dominated industry & bringing more representation to wine
🎨 Branding that works — how to market ... social media or field marketing in 2025?
🌍 Behind the bottle — EU-sourced, family-run vineyards, no additives or dyes
😵 Hangovers, tariffs & the real challenges of building a modern wine brand
💫 Bonus: Use code CPG15 for 15% off at Offline Wine (linked in show notes + IG).
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To connect with Offline Wine click HERE
To buy Offline Wine click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
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This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love (CPG) elevates your brand through engaging in-store demos, meaningful customer interactions, and creating lasting impressions.
Thank you for listening!
We’re back with a fresh, fun, and insightful episode featuring Hailey Gorski, RD — LA-based dietitian and founder of The Tipsy Kale!
In this episode:
🥬The origin story of The Tipsy Kale — and how Hailey blends fun with evidence-based nutrition to inspire lasting change in people’s health
📲 The real truth behind content creation — from hours of free work to staying grounded in your purpose & passion
🥛 Hot takes on today’s nutrition trends — the protein craze, Erewhon Smoothies, sustainable living, and the nutrient we’re actually missing out on
✨ Branding lessons from Gorgie and The Tipsy Kale on how to stand out in even the most crowded categories
💫 Bonus: Hailey drops the recipe for what we’re calling the IT GIRL breakfast — the ultimate start to a day full of satisfaction, strength, and energy 🤤
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To connect with Hailey Gorski click HERE
To subscribe to Hailey's Substack click HERE
To connect with The Tipsy Kale click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
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This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love (CPG) elevates your brand through engaging in-store demos, meaningful customer interactions, and creating lasting impressions.
Thank you for listening!
We’re back with a bold and energizing episode featuring Orleatha Smith, co-founder of Sip Herbals — a former biology teacher turned wellness founder on a mission to reimagine your morning ritual.
We chat:
☕ The surprising symptoms that made Orleatha quit coffee — and why your daily brew might be hurting more than helping
🌿 How Sip Herbals was born from her journey with autoimmune disease
🦈 The real behind-the-scenes of being on Shark Tank (the lessons, the wild parts & show surprises)
📦 What it takes to build a wellness CPG brand that actually supports your health
***Bonus***: Sip Herbals is offering 10% off online with code CHATCPG —from the website
To connect with Orleatha Smith click HERE
To connect with Sip Herbals click HERE
To purchase Sip Herbals Coffee Alternatives click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
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This episode is brought to you by Accountfully:
Accountfully is an outsourced accounting firm specializing in bookkeeping and financial services for modern CPG brands and startups.
Thank you for listening!
We’re back with a powerful and honest episode featuring Kristin O’Connell, Sr. Director of Sales at Once Upon a Farm — a leader, mother, and advocate for clean, accessible nutrition for kids.
This episode isn’t just about food or sales — it’s about our real experiences behind the scenes: going viral on LinkedIn, navigating motherhood in the workplace, and making the leap from big CPG to an emerging natural brand.
We chat:
What it’s like to go viral on LinkedIn (10.5M+ views!) — and what that moment meant
The realities of motherhood as a working professional
Transitioning from big CPG to a fast-growing brand like Once Upon a Farm
Why we need more honest conversations about identity, work, and change to help lift others up
Whether you're balancing your own version of work and parenthood, or simply looking to hear from someone leading with heart — this one's for you.
***Bonus***: Once Upon a Farm is offering 30% off online with code FARMFRIEND30 — your first DTC order from the website
To connect with Kristin O'Connell click HERE
To connect with Once Upon a Farm click HERE
To purchase Once Upon a Farm click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
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This episode is brought to you by Accountfully:
Accountfully is an outsourced accounting firm specializing in bookkeeping and financial services for modern CPG brands and startups.
Thank you for listening!
We’re back with another powerhouse episode featuring Starr Edwards, co-founder & CEO of the wildly beloved Bitchin’ Sauce — the almond-based dip that started at a San Diego farmers’ market and scaled to nearly 7,000 stores across North America, including Kroger, Albertsons/Safeway, Costco, Target, Whole Foods, and Sprouts.
But this convo isn’t just about sauce — it’s a deep dive into building with purpose, leading with values, and carving your own lane in the CPG space.
In this episode, we cover:
What makes Bitchin’ Sauce a standout in the wellness + natural foods space
Launching a brand before people “get it” — and how Starr pushed through the noise
Balancing motherhood (👩👧 of 5!) with entrepreneurship
How family-first culture became a Bitchin’ business superpower
Grit, patience, and staying mission-aligned when it’s hardest
Whether you’re dreaming up your own product line or love a founder story full of heart — this one’s for you.
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Bonus: Bitchin' Sauce is offering 10% off online THROUGH 5/13/25 ONLY with code CHATCPG10 — a limited-time offer you don’t want to miss. https://bitchinsauce.com/
To connect with Starr Edwards click HERE
To connect with Bitchin' Sauce click HERE
To purchase Bitchin' Sauce w/ 10% code click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
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This episode is brought to you by Accountfully:
Accountfully is an outsourced accounting firm specializing in bookkeeping and financial services for modern CPG brands and startups.
Thank you for listening!
We’re back with another inspiring episode, diving deep into Natural Products Expo West with Allie Hobson, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and co-founder of Core Formulas — a supplement brand rooted in foundational wellness and root-cause healing.
In this episode, we cover:
* Expo West through the lens of a first-time founder & health-community voice & problem-solver
* Building meaningful relationships with suppliers & manufacturers
* Practitioner-led supplement brand innovationand ingredient sourcing traps - WHY we need knowledgable practitioners developing brands!!
*Fueling yourself cleanly — Allie’s favorite go-to brands
* The ROI of going all-in on CPG + Expo West
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Bonus: Allie is offering 15% off new customer orders at for 4 weeks post-launch with code CHATCPG — a limited-time offer you don’t want to miss. (P.S. Their Daily Basics is a staple in our routine!) www.shopcoreformulas.com
To connect with Allie Hobson click HERE
To connect with Core Formulas click HERE
To purchase Core Formulas w/ code click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
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This episode is brought to you by Accountfully:
Accountfully is an outsourced accounting firm specializing in bookkeeping and financial services for modern CPG brands and startups.
Thank you for listening!
This week, we sit down with Jason Burke, Founder & CEO of New Primal, for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, resilience, and an inside look at the meat snacks category.
Jason’s journey began in 2009 when he traded junk food for a healthier lifestyle—turning his personal transformation into a thriving business.
Today, New Primal’s clean, high-protein, low-sugar snacks are stocked in 10,000+ retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, HEB, Wegmans, and Walmart.
We cover:
✔️ What New Primal Is All About – How these clean snacks are winning over families (especially moms!).
✔️ Putting in the Reps – Why patience and resilience are essential for building a brand.
✔️ Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age – The biggest lessons Jason has learned from scaling The New Primal.
✔️ Aligning Career with Purpose – Why taking full accountability is the key to long-term success.
💡 Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seeking career clarity, or just love a great founder story, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
Get 20% OFF New Primal Meat Snacks: CHATCPG
To connect with Jason Burke click HERE
To connect with New Primal click HERE
To buy New Primal on Amazon click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
In this episode, we sit down with Alli Ball, Founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz and the mastermind behind Retail Ready®, to dive into the world of retail strategy, wholesale wins, and building a business that truly works for you.
With experience helping over 3,000 food and beverage brands navigate the competitive retail space, Alli knows exactly what it takes to get on shelves—and stay there.
We cover:
✔️ Food Biz Wiz® & Retail Success – Why it’s a must-have resource for emerging CPG brands and how it helps founders thrive.
✔️ Founder Fumbles – The biggest mistakes slowing down sales for packaged products—and how to avoid them.
✔️ Building a Business That Works for You – What this concept truly means and how to align your business with your lifestyle goals.
✔️ Alliball Coaching – Why Alli started this extra side hustle of business coaching and how it’s helping founders find their "why" and stay on track.
💡 Biggest takeaway? Patience is key. In a world obsessed with social media highlights and VC-backed hype, success in CPG takes strategic growth, resilience, and the right playbook.
If you’re a CPG founder, entrepreneur, or just passionate about growing a brand with purpose, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! 🎧
Check Out Allison's FREEBIE100 potential reasons why a Wholesale Buyer says “no” to your product line!
To connect with Allison Ball click HERE
To connect with Food Biz Wiz click HERE
To explore Retail Ready click HERE
To explore Food Biz Wiz Podcast click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
In this episode, we sit down withJess Windell, Founder of Maven Consulting & Co-Founder of Dryft Sleep, to talk all things PR, entrepreneurship, and building a purpose-driven career. 🎙️✨
Beyond leading a full-funnel PR firm for consumer brands, Jess has built a thriving business helping founders tell their stories, launch successful products, and grow with intention. She’s now taking it a step further withCatalyst, a DIY PR platform for emerging CPG brands, all while buildingDryft Sleep, a before-bed sleep consumables brand... ehemm, mouth tape!!She shares her journey of launching both service- and product-based businesses, overcoming fear, and aligning her career with her values.
If you’re passionate about CPG, brand storytelling, or making bold moves in your career, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧
Get $500 OFF the Catalyst Course, Catalyst by Maven: CHATCPG
Get 20% OFF Dryft Sleep Products: CHATCPG
To connect with Jess click HERE
To connect with Maven Consultingclick HERE
To connect with Dryft Sleepclick HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
In this episode of Chat CPG: Food + More, we sit down with Cara Comp Usher, Director of Sales at Magic Mind, a brand revolutionizing productivity with its nootropic energy shots. 🧠⚡
Beyond leading sales at Magic Mind, Cara has built a thriving entrepreneurial venture, helping people optimize their nutrition, wellness, and overall livelihood.
She shares her journey of overcoming fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs to create success in both corporate CPG and entrepreneurship.
If you're passionate about CPG, wellness, or turning your side hustle into something meaningful, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧
GET 30% OFF MAGIC MIND ONLINE: CARAMAGIC
GET 20% OFF THE SUPERBELLY 21 DAY RESET: CHATCPG
To connect with Cara click HERE
To connect with Magic Mind click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
In this episode, we chat with Rebecca Collins, the Director of People & Culture at Halfday Iced Tea, about the power of building a strong company culture to drive employee retention and business growth. Rebecca shares actionable insights on how a thriving culture fosters loyalty and supports success.
We also explore topics surrounding maternity leave, discussing the need for businesses to rethink policies & norms and acknowledge gender differences in the workplace. Rebecca explains why women should be celebrated for their unique work styles and how companies can better support women through maternity leave and beyond.
We also discuss the importance of working in a place that is healthy and supportive, where employees are encouraged to bring their best selves to work. Rebecca emphasizes how a supportive environment not only helps individuals thrive but also enables companies to get the most out of their people.
GET 10% YOUR AMAZON ORDER OF HALFDAY: ChatCPGHD
To connect with Rebecca click HERE
To connect with Halfday Iced Tea click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
In this episode, we sit down with David Rachlin, a seasoned marketing executive with a remarkable journey through the world of CPG.
From launching Ben & Jerry’s internationally to scaling Boursin Cheese and transforming Pete & Gerry's, David shares his insights on repositioning brands, driving growth, and creating lasting impact with optimal pricing strategies.
Tune in to hear his story of turning challenges into opportunities and elevating everyday products into iconic brands.
To connect with David click HERE
To use Trade Promo Guru click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique field marketing organization that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
This week we feature Hudson and Gabe, founders of Plant People, an incredible mushroom supplement brand, aimed at enhancing wellness and vitalityThe episode highlights the founders’ journey, showcasing their resiliency and vision as they built a successful company rooted in natural healing practices. They share insights on their top three products you need to try & why, how changing their packaging created bigger wins on shelf and scaling their sustainability practices.
The founders also discuss the challenges they faced in establishing their brand in a competitive market, focusing on the importance of resiliency during tough times. They explain how they maintained a vision for the future while adapting to ever-changing market conditions.
This episode offers a mix of entrepreneurial wisdom, wellness insights, and practical advice on building a business with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and growth in a dynamic market.
USE CODE: CHATCPG15 to Buy Plant People Products
To connect with Hudson click HERE
To connect with Gabe click HERE
To connect with Plant People click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique event and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
Tune into the latest episode of Chat CPG Food + More featuring Caroline Howard, co-founder of Walker Brothers Kombucha based in Nashville, TN!
Caroline shares her inspiring journey of how she connected with the Walker Brothers and found her place within the brand. She opens up about the twists and turns of her career, the lessons learned along the way, and how she got to where she is today.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, building a brand, and the power of community in the world of CPG!USE CODE: CHATCPG15 to Buy WALKER BROTHERS KOMBUCHA online
To connect with Caroline click HERE
To connect with Walker Brothers click HERE
To order Walker Brothers Kombucha click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food + More click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique event and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
Join us this week as we sit down with Ana and Brayden, co-founders of Plentiful Harvest Demos. We dive into the story of how they got started in the demo business, the unique balance of working together as partners, and the extra care they put into representing each brand.
In CPG we can now expect more from demo companies and finding the right fit makes all the difference!
If you’re looking for inspiration on building a business with passion and purpose, this episode is for you! These two know what brings them joy in a career and even if it's scary to jump, they've leaned on each other to take the leap. Tune in now and get inspired by their journey!
To connect with Ana click HERE
To connect with Brayden click HERE
To lear more about Plenitful Harvest click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food Edition click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a national boutique event and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
This week we’re joined by Hollis Callaway, founder of Montane Sparkling Spring Water. He shares how he quickly became profitable, leveraged his family's ties to the purest spring water in the world, and made Montane a sustainable, luxurious product.
Hollis stands out as a passionate entreprenuer who does not succumb to the granularities of going BIG, FAST in CPG. His strategy and hard work have built a fruitful business and his story allows us an inside scoop into thinking with your business hat instead of your FOMO meter.
Tune in for insights on building a successful, eco-friendly brand! #ChatCPG #MontaneWater
To connect with Hollis click HERE
To connect with Montane click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food Edition click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a boutique event and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
Today's interview is with Force of Nature's James Lum, Regional Sales Manager of the West. James has a history of being a butcher, business owner and CPG strategy consultant. He's passionate about regenerative meat production, sustainability and eating the highest quality meat to fuel our bodies.
In this episode, James explains the difference between labels on meat packaging, how to purchase the best quality products in the marketplace and how Force of Nature has built a loyal community, teaching consumers about meat production and its importance on our environment and health.
Truly, this episode was so helpful to navigate purchases at your local retailers. Thank you James & Force of Nature for helping us be educated consumers!
To connect with James click HERE
To connect with Force of Nature Meats click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food Edition click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a boutique event and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
Today's episode is with Matthew Moore, VP of Sales Strategy at BrightFarms. Matt was previously a Whole Foods Global Buyer and Senior Director of Category Management at Banza.
In this episode, Matt shares his opinions on innovation strategy, communicating with buyers and growing new business in old categories.
Our favorite part is getting the inside scoop to how Matt chooses new career roles and keeps his life from getting stagnant. He has goals and goes after them no matter what people think! Matt has no socials and hasn't budged on that decision.
To connect with Matt check out BrightFarms
To connect with CHAT CPG Food Edition click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a boutique event and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class brand representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!
This episode with Allie Carr, a Freelance Creative Director & Copywriter, is one of our favorites. Allie is inspirational in her ability to envision and create the life she desires, as well as confident and talented in her work of creating brand image and messaging.
In this episode Allie expands our minds to the idea that changing consumers' behavior is quite "simple" and that creating the life you desire takes time, work and dedication, but is possible.
Allie's genius course for HOW TO GO FREELANCE is highly recommended and code - ALLIE - gives all Chat CPG listeners $10 off
To connect with Allie click HERE
To connect with How To Go Freelance click HERE
To connect with CHAT CPG Food Edition click HERE
To connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Mulherin click HERE
To connect with Meghan Sumser click HERE
This episode is brought to you by Shelf Love:
Shelf Love is a boutique merchandising and demo company that exists to give natural brands a big voice by utilizing best-in-class store representation. "Love Your Brand, Love Your Shelf."
Thank you for listening!