Nombase Podcast

Hosted by BevNET Inc.

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Episodes

150

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

BevNET presents: The Nombase CPG podcast, a series featuring open discussions on pressing topics impacting food and beverage businesses. Each episode explores a key issue in the CPG industry, offering timely insights, tactical advice, and community discussion. Join the live podcast recording to ask your questions and share your comments directly with our guests, or catch up on past podcast episodes anytime.

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60 recent

August 18, 2026Episode 14637 min

8.5 Million Consumers, One City: How to Win NYC Retail

New York's density makes it one of the best cities to build retail distribution — and one of the hardest to crack. Namik Soltan, founder and CEO of GNGR Labs, spent six years self-distributing into hundreds of NYC bodegas, independents, and chains before handing accounts to a distributor. Sean Rosenberg, founder of Goldie, is about to do the same. In this episode, Namik shares tips with Sean through the exact playbook, store by store. You will learn: How to build a retail footprint in NYC without a distributor, starting from zero What it actually takes to get into bodegas, independents, and regional chains When to bring on a distributor, and how to prep your territory before they arrive How to use free product, sales sheets, and intro deals to drive trial What separates brands that scale past their first 50 stores from those that stall How self-distribution today sets you up for regional and national growth later

August 11, 2026Episode 14548 min

Private Label Is a $330 Billion Business Now. How to Ride It Without Diluting Your Brand.

Many founders think private label can compromise opportunities for their brand. Derek Brawley thinks that's backwards. He's spent nearly two decades running private label programs internationally, most recently at Prana, and mentors emerging brands on how to make the most of private label business. In this episode, he makes the case for private label as one of the most underused tools for cash flow, accurate forecasting, and long-term growth — and explains how to use it without compromising the brand you're building. You will learn: Why "brand dilution" is often backwards thinking, and what private label actually protects How private label partners deliver forecasting accuracy brands can't get on their own What margins, trade spend, and pricing actually look like compared to selling branded The certifications and standards you need to be private label ready How to pitch private label to retailers, and what buyers are quietly looking for How to use private label to fund your brand's growth toward a future sale

August 4, 2026Episode 14448 min

The Truth About CVS: What 9,000 Doors Really Means for Scaling Brands

CVS may not be the first retail opportunity food and beverage brands evaluate, but it's important to know when it can be the right fit. Ashley Czerwien spent two and a half years as a CVS buyer and now manages the CVS relationship at KeHE, and she breaks down what actually needs to be true about your business before CVS makes sense. You will learn: What CVS's 9,000 doors actually look like, and which ones fit your brand The real submission process, from ECRM events to award letters What CVS costs versus what brands assume it costs The readiness signals CVS looks for: production, lead times, marketing Two programs built for emerging brands: Open Air Cooler and Healthy Consumables What buyers listen for in a category review pitch

July 28, 2026Episode 14351 min

Don't Blend In. Make Your Difference Easy to Understand.

Building a differentiated brand is only half the battle. The other half is making sure consumers actually understand why it matters. Join Sahra Nguyen, founder & CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply, and Kyle Nguyen, co-founder of Lucky Ox, to discuss one of the biggest challenges growing brands face: how to stay true to what makes your product unique while communicating it in a way that resonates with mainstream consumers. You will learn: How to figure out what consumers actually care about—and build your messaging around it instead of your assumptions How to use Meta ads, Google Search Console, and customer reviews to test positioning before investing in it Why "meeting consumers where they are" isn't always the right strategy—and when to lean harder into what makes your brand different How to decide where limited retail marketing dollars will have the biggest impact on trial and velocity How to simplify product names, packaging, and messaging without losing what makes your brand unique How to identify merchandising problems that quietly hurt sales—and what brands can do to fix them Why PR should support your business strategy, not become your business strategy

July 21, 2026Episode 14247 min

Don't Build the Board Everyone Else Has. Build One That Gives You an Edge.

Most founders know they need a board. Far fewer know how to build one that makes the business materially better. In this episode, Brad Charron, CEO of Aloha, and Kierstin Rielly, CEO of the Women on Boards Project, break down what separates a board that simply fills seats from one that helps you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build a stronger company. Using Aloha's board as a real-world case study, they share a practical framework for choosing the right people, compensating them fairly, and turning your board into a real competitive advantage. You will learn: How to build a board around your business—not your cap table Who belongs on your board (and who doesn't) Why operators often make better board members than career directors How board compensation and equity typically work When advisors make sense—and when it's time for a formal board How to get more value out of every board meeting How the right board can help you make better decisions as you scale

July 14, 202644 min

This Economy Is Splitting the Aisle. Here's the Pricing Model to Win Either Side.

Today's grocery aisle is splitting between shoppers looking for the best deal and those who are happy to pay more for brands they believe are worth it. In this episode, Scott Sanders, Business Intelligence Lead at Carbone, and Jeff Lovering, Chief Data Scientist at Customer Marketing Group, talk through what that shift means for CPG brands. They share practical ways to think about pricing, promotions, and growth—and how to figure out whether your biggest opportunity is pricing, awareness, positioning, distribution, or something else entirely. You'll learn: How to determine whether your brand has earned a premium price The difference between a pricing problem, an awareness problem, and a positioning problem Why premium brands can thrive—even in a value-driven economy How consumers decide whether your product is "worth it" When promotions drive growth—and when they simply mask bigger issues How to use data to diagnose what's really limiting your growth What today's split economy means for your long-term brand strategy

July 7, 2026Episode 14048 min

The Science Behind Functional Products Consumers Come Back For

Functional ingredients are everywhere, but adding a trending ingredient to a label doesn't guarantee a product that actually works—or one consumers will buy again. Philip Bromley, CEO and co-founder of Viron, and Sarah Fenn, Viron's Director of Marketing, explain the science that separates effective functional products from those that simply make functional claims. Drawing on decades of experience in formulation, ingredient stabilization, and delivery systems, they explain why bioavailability, stability, packaging, and format matter just as much as the ingredient itself. You'll learn: Why bioavailability matters more than adding another functional ingredient How formulation and packaging affect ingredient stability and efficacy Which delivery formats work best for different functional ingredients The biggest formulation mistakes brands make—and how to avoid them How to evaluate ingredient quality, sourcing, and clinical support Why taste and consumer experience drive repeat purchases What separates functional products that consumers try from the ones they come back for

June 30, 2026Episode 13943 min

Do You Really Need to Build in Public to Grow a CPG Brand?

Founders are constantly told they need to build in public - but is it actually the best way to grow? In this episode of the Nombase Podcast, Nick Elliott, Founder of Esprizio, joins Sara Brooks, Co-Founder of Goldilocks, to discuss the role of founder-led content, social media, PR, and brand strategy in building a successful CPG business. You Will Learn: When building in public makes sense—and when it doesn't How to develop a repeatable social strategy instead of posting randomly Low-cost ways to build awareness and generate PR How to create content that builds community instead of just chasing views Why consistency matters more than posting frequency How to decide where founders should spend their limited marketing resources

June 22, 2026Episode 13845 min

Why This Brand Pulled Out of 2,500 Doors—and What Brands Chasing Those Retailers Need to Know

Getting onto retail shelves can feel like a big accomplishment—but what happens when strong velocity, national distribution, and real sales still don't add up to a profitable business? Lauren Chew of Love + Chew Superfood Cookies shares the story behind her decision to exit 2,500 retail doors through UNFI and KeHE—even with velocities buyers were happy with. Abby June Richards of The CPG CFO breaks down where the P&L falls apart for emerging brands and what founders need to understand about cash conversion cycles, trade spend, and channel-level profitability before signing a retailer contract. And Liana Krasnow of Noodo, a premium bone broth pasta sauce just 21 doors in, asks the questions every early-stage brand should be asking right now. You Will Learn: Why a brand can have great velocity and still be losing money on every case The hidden cash conversion cycle that can turn a modest monthly loss into a $3M cash problem How to evaluate whether a specific retailer is actually a fit—before you sign anything What trade spend really is, why it's not an operating expense, and how misreporting it can hurt you in due diligence The factors Lauren would weigh differently with her next brand, including shelf facings, direct shipping, and which retailers to avoid entirely Why regional, direct, and foodservice channels may deliver more profit than national distribution—and how to know when you're ready to scale

June 16, 2026Episode 13738 min

Before You Spend More on Growth, Ask These 5 Questions

As brands grow, it's easy to focus on the next retailer, the next marketing initiative, or the next distribution opportunity. But sustainable growth starts with a deeper understanding of your brand identity, who it's for, and what makes it truly different. In this episode, Eric Ramstad of Farmwell Drinks, Shaakira DeLoach of Ginja Snap, and brand strategist Kelly Criswell of Mudge to discuss how emerging brands can build around a niche, attract the right consumers, and create a foundation for long-term growth. From rebrands and packaging decisions to demos, consumer feedback, and community building, the conversation explores the questions founders should be asking as they refine their positioning and prepare to scale. You Will Learn: • How to identify the consumers most likely to become loyal customers • Why simplifying your messaging can strengthen your brand and improve consumer understanding • How to use demos and direct customer feedback to refine positioning and packaging • What creates meaningful differentiation when competitors can copy your ingredients or category • How to evaluate whether your current positioning can support future growth and expansion