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.
[quote style=”boxed”]Everyone is an expert on something – find the people who know what you need to know and ask for their help! Your organization will be stronger for it.[/quote]…
Meet Jessie Johnson – Founder of The Sustainable Seafood Blog Project
[quote style=”boxed”]I’d start by finding a sugar momma. Seriously, being prepared financially is important because it increases the likelihood for success. [/quote] Mike Shur works hard and loves his work. An…
[quote style=”boxed”]Go out there and push your limits. The more you stay in the comfort zone the more complacent you become.[/quote] Diana Isac is the CEO and Co-Founder of Winerist,…
[quote style=”boxed”]”All these things are fleeting, and I never want to feel regret, that I wish I had enjoyed life more.”[/quote] Sarah is a Chicago native. It’s the city where…
[quote style=”boxed”]Take a step back, and try to focus on something else, even for a few minutes.[/quote] It’s the stuff that dreams are made of – doing what you love…
[quote style=”boxed”]I would be less cautious with expanding. With my cleaning company we didn’t want to get too big and not have quality employees to clean. So we priced and…
[quote style=”boxed”]I continually check in on the state of my management team and employees to ensure that they feel happy, vital and productive. Your people are your greatest assets.[/quote] Jeffrey…
[quote style=”boxed”]In life, I don’t try to spend too much time thinking about the mistakes I’ve made. I divide them into two categories: mistakes that matter and mistakes that don’t…
[quote style=”boxed”]Try, fail, try again, and again, until you succeed.[/quote] Zach Yungst grew up in Sarasota, Florida before attending Penn’s Wharton School. Post graduation, Zach worked in investment banking at…
[quote style=”boxed”]If I have an idea the first thing I do is write it down so I don’t forget! Then, If its a recipe, I just get in the kitchen…
[quote style=”boxed”]I watch an episode of Frazier every night because I know I’m going to laugh out loud and that is a great way to end any day.[/quote] Lynn Higgin…
Meet Lynn Higgin – Founder and Chief Bitch Officer of Crazy Bitch Tea
[quote style=”boxed”]Do your homework, do as much market research you can effort – keep the customer in mind all the time.[/quote] Award-winning designer, Harald Kanz, founded KANZ Outdoors LLC in…