How many brands can you name that secured national distribution at Whole Foods just weeks after launching? In this episode, we dive into one such success story: Yaza, a rapidly emerging brand of Lebanese-style labneh. We also test yet another "pizza wine" and chat about Hailee Steinfeld's angelic take on RTD cocktails.

Show notes:

0:25: Call It A Tease. See Y’all Soon. Oh, Yes We Did. Marvelous Miami. We’ve Had Our Fill. First Look. – Melissa Traverse is buckled in for banter and has a surprise in store for BevNET’s community. We’re all headed to Anaheim in a couple weeks – reach out beforehand. Domino’s collaboration with Yellowtail wine garners mixed reviews. We recap Taste Radio’s Miami meetup and spread love to those who attended. Ray casts doubt at the viability of another celebrity-backed beverage alcohol brand, Melissa speaks about digestives and Swedish treats, Jacqui has “blue tea” and John unloads a box filled with early-stage brands.

35:51: Interview: Christian Karim Khalil, Founder & CEO, Yaza - Yaza specializes in Lebanese-style labneh, a creamy, dairy-based spread that has long been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. Launched in 2024, Yaza sets itself apart by emphasizing authenticity and health benefits, including high protein and probiotics. In this conversation, Christian shares how Yaza overcame early production challenges, why Whole Foods recognized the brand’s potential, and how he is strategically evaluating potential collaborations to fuel further growth and expansion.

Brands in this episode: Yaza, Yellowtail, Bang Energy, Milonga, Sky Barn, Fruga, Gorgie, Shōjō’s Dojo, Little Saints, Lemonicious, Seasa, Scobucha, Verse, MAA+TE, La Gringuita Cookies, Leisure Hydration, OWYN, Brooklyn’s Best, Hummii Snacks, Mela, Big Mama’s Foods, Frutero Ice Cream, Coconut Cartel, Casalu, Angel Margarita, Wilderton Apertivio, Chikka Chikka, Kolsvart, Wilderton, Kamana, Blue Durango, Cuddle, Nooish, Grounded, Chubbies, Cedar’s

In a candid and insightful conversation, Equitea founder and CEO Quentin Vennie and Greg Lowe II, the founder and CEO of coconut water brand 100 Coconuts, dive into the complexities of embracing their Black identity while navigating the business world.

As part of the conversation, they discuss the dual reality of finding support and facing systemic barriers, alongside the evolving landscape of DEI initiatives. They also explore the ongoing challenges Black founders face in accessing capital and the opportunities international markets offer Black-owned brands.

Greg also shares the story of securing a major partnership with Disney, highlighting how creativity, culture, and agility set his brand apart from industry giants. He and Quentin also unpack misconceptions about DEI, the long road ahead for equal opportunities, and how their respective journeys are paving the way for other Black founders in CPG.

Brands in this episode: Equitea, 100 Coconuts, Better Sour

It’s the ultimate question every CPG founder must tackle: How do I make consumers truly care about my brand? The challenge grows even more complex when your brand is built around an ingredient that’s often misunderstood and overlooked.

Emily Griffith, founder and CEO of Lil Bucks, a modern snack brand that champions buckwheat as its hero ingredient, knows firsthand the trials and tribulations of creating products that not only require consumer education but also demand a passionate, loyal following.

In this episode, Emily shares her journey starting from selling Lil Bucks at farmers markets to becoming a sought-after brand in retail stores. She discusses the importance of clear messaging (think "gut-friendly granola bites") to connect with consumers and how simplicity, rather than over-innovation, led to success.

Emily also talks about sourcing strategies, collaborating with farmers, and the journey to securing key partnerships, including Whole Foods, fundraising for the company’s Series A round and staying grounded as a founder.

Show notes:

0:25: Emily Griffith, Founder & CEO, Lil Bucks – Emily and Ray recalled their first conversation at Expo East 2021, before she reflected on the challenges and excitement of breaking into retail in 2021. She talks about the temptation for founders to over-innovate, the difficulty of top-of-funnel marketing, especially when trying to connect with a broad audience and how to collaborate with others while still building her own brand. Emily also explains why hiring an operations leader was a key decision in scaling Lil Bucks and the risks of relying too heavily on one ingredient. She also talks about why getting into Whole Foods was a full court press and why convenience is a key factor in the brand’s innovation strategy. Emily also emphasizes the importance of knowing your brand and processes inside and out when fundraising and why she wasn’t just selling her brand and vision, she was selling herself as a founder.

Brands in this episode: Lil Bucks, Bob's Red Mill, Magic Spoon, Think Jerky