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food and beverages

Food is universal. Everyone eats. But building a food business? That’s a special kind of challenge. The founders in this section have done it. Restaurants, food brands, beverage companies, meal delivery services, and everything in between. All while dealing with razor-thin margins and the fact that your product literally expires.

These interviews cover the full food and beverage landscape. CPG brands. Restaurant concepts. Food tech. Alcohol. Coffee. Health food. The farm-to-table movement. And the logistics of getting perishable goods from point A to point B without anything going wrong. Which it always does.

What makes these founders interesting is the passion. Nobody gets into food for the easy money. Because there isn’t any. They get into it because they care about what people eat and drink. And that passion comes through in every conversation.

You’ll find insights on product development, retail distribution, restaurant operations, food safety, branding in a crowded market, and the particular challenge of scaling something that started in a kitchen. If you’re building in food and beverage, or thinking about it, these are your people.

Justin Lee – Co-founder and CEO of Vessyl

[quote style=”boxed”]This is not a strategy, but is helpful. I genuinely really care about everyone at the company. Their happiness is something I prioritize.[/quote] Justin is responsible for the overall…

Meet Justin Lee – Co-founder and CEO of Vessyl

Naithan Jones – Founder and CEO of AgLocal.com

[quote style=”boxed”]I would not think about scale at all early on, I would focus on acquiring knowledge first and foremost, even if the best way to acquire knowledge isn’t the…

Meet Naithan Jones – Founder and CEO of AgLocal.com

Xander Oxman – Co-Founder and CEO of Club W

[quote style=”boxed”]Read. Stay curious. Keep learning. Identify smart people and ask them questions.[/quote] Xander Oxman is Co-Founder and CEO of Club W, an e-commerce company providing a better way to…

Meet Xander Oxman – Co-Founder and CEO of Club W

James Cummiskey – Managing Director of Cima Coffee Farms

[quote style=”boxed”]If I were to start again, I would hire a bit slower and more deliberately. Companies don’t make profits. People do. Take care of your people first and only…

Meet James Cummiskey – Managing Director of Cima Coffee Farms

Monica DiNatale – Author of 365 Guide New York City

[quote style=”boxed”]I don’t quit. I had many stumbling blocks while writing but I never lost focus. If I say that I’m going to do something, I do it. No grey…

Meet Monica DiNatale – Author of 365 Guide New York City

Tim Sinclair – Co-founder at U-Be-Livin-Smart

[quote style=”boxed”]I finish the most important things I need to get done in a day by 9 AM. It allows me to be more open to discussions that may lead…

Meet Tim Sinclair – Co-founder at U-Be-Livin-Smart

Phil Dumontet – Founder and CEO of DASHED

[quote style=”boxed”]I wake up very early and go for a run. This clears my head. I then stretch out using a foam roller, take a contrast shower and plan my…

Meet Phil Dumontet – Founder and CEO of DASHED

Chandra Davis – Founder of Drink Chia

[quote style=”boxed”]Constantly challenge yourself to grow on a spiritual and emotional level. Business is relationships and egos can destroy. Developing the tools to deal with stress, disappoint, interesting personalities is key –…

Meet Chandra Davis – Founder of Drink Chia

DuAnne Redus – Owner of Maui Wowi Hawaiian

[quote style=”boxed”]Never be afraid to go after wild dreams, you can achieve so much more than you ever imagined.[/quote] After losing her husband suddenly and arriving home on a flight…

Meet DuAnne Redus – Owner of Maui Wowi Hawaiian

Audrey Darrow – CEO of Earth Source Organics

[quote style=”boxed”]Surrender: When you surrender, you don’t know how things are going to work out. You just let go and do the next thing. [/quote] Through life experiences and education, Audrey…

Meet Audrey Darrow – CEO of Earth Source Organics

Nick Diakantonis – Founder of Yorganic Chef

[quote style=”boxed”]In order to do something great, you have to get out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there. It’s the only way.[/quote] Nick Diakantonis is the founder…

Meet Nick Diakantonis – Founder of Yorganic Chef

Brandt Evans – Chef and Founder of BKM Hospitality

[quote style=”boxed”]Inspect, don’t expect, the small things.[/quote] Chef Brandt Evans is one of Ohio’s top chefs. He has received numerous accolades since 2002 following the opening of his first restaurant,…

Meet Brandt Evans – Chef and Founder of BKM Hospitality

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