Predicting the Turn

In a culinary landscape marked by innovation and a blending of cultures, MìLà, a modern Chinese food company, stands out as a beacon of success. From its humble beginnings as a restaurant in 2018 to its triumphant foray into the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) realm, MìLà's unique approach, guided by quality, accessibility, and a third-culture perspective, has captured the hearts and palates of a diverse and expanding audience. I sat down with Jen Liao, Co-Founder and President of MìLà to learn more about how these formerrestaurant owners pivoted during COVID to turn one of their favorite dishes into a frozen food success story.

In a culinary landscape marked by innovation and a blending of cultures, MìLà, a modern Chinese food company, stands out as a beacon of success. From its humble beginnings as a restaurant in 2018 to its triumphant foray into the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) realm, MìLà's unique approach, guided by quality, accessibility, and a third-culture perspective, has captured the hearts and palates of a diverse and expanding audience. I sat down with Jen Liao, Co-Founder and President of MìLà to learn more about how these former
restaurant owners pivoted during COVID to turn one of their favorite dishes into a frozen food success story.


MìLà's Culinary Journey: From Restaurant Success to CPG Triumph in the Evolving Landscape of Asian Cuisine

What if the secret to building a nationally recognized food brand started with nothing more than an ice cream scooper and a dream? That’s exactly how Chris Kirby, founder of Ithaca Hummus, turned a farmers market side hustle into one of the fastest-growing brands in the refrigerated dips category. In this interview, I sat down with Chris to discuss how he scaled from a tiny kitchen to national grocery shelves, the unconventional strategies that set Ithaca apart, and what’s next for the brand as it continues to push the boundaries of flavor and innovation.

Chris Kirby

What if the secret to building a nationally recognized food brand started with nothing more than an ice cream scooper and a dream? That’s exactly how Chris Kirby, founder of Ithaca Hummus, turned a farmers market side hustle into one of the fastest-growing brands in the refrigerated dips category. In this interview, I sat down with Chris to discuss how he scaled from a tiny kitchen to national grocery shelves, the unconventional strategies that set Ithaca apart, and what’s next for the brand as it continues to push the boundaries of flavor and innovation.

How Chris Kirby Turned a Farmers Market Favorite into a National Brand

How Chris Kirby Turned Ithaca Hummus From a Farmers Market Favorite into a National Brand

Breakfast is a daily ritual, but for years, the options on US grocery store shelves were uninspiring—until Belgian Boys entered the scene. Led by Anouck Gotlib and her husband Greg, the brand has transformed the way Americans enjoy breakfast with authentic, European-inspired waffles and pancakes. In this interview, CEO Anouck Gotlib shares how Belgian Boys grew from a side hustle into a category-defining brand now found in 12,000 stores nationwide. I sat down with Anouck to discuss the challenges of scaling a food business, the strategic move from frozen to refrigerated aisles, and the lessons learned in building a beloved brand from the ground up.

Anouck Gotlib

Breakfast is a daily ritual, but for years, the options on US grocery store shelves were uninspiring—until Belgian Boys entered the scene. Led by Anouck Gotlib and her husband Greg, the brand has transformed the way Americans enjoy breakfast with authentic, European-inspired waffles and pancakes. In this interview, CEO Anouck Gotlib shares how Belgian Boys grew from a side hustle into a category-defining brand now found in 12,000 stores nationwide. I sat down with Anouck to discuss the challenges of scaling a food business, the strategic move from frozen to refrigerated aisles, and the lessons learned in building a beloved brand from the ground up.

The Switch From The Freezer To The Fridge That Catapulted Belgian Boys

In the rapidly evolving world of hospitality, technology and innovation are driving major shifts, and few understand this transformation better than Mathew Focht. As a co-founder of Emerging, a fund focused on tech-driven concepts in hospitality, Focht brings decades of expertise to the table. In this interview, he shares his insights on the future of "eatertainment," the evolving role of technology, and what it takes to identify and scale the next big idea in the experiential economy. I sat down with Focht to discuss how Emerging's strategic investments are shaping the future of hospitality and the key factors that drive success in this high-growth industry.

Mathew Focht

Emerging

In the rapidly evolving world of hospitality, technology and innovation are driving major shifts, and few understand this transformation better than Mathew Focht. As a co-founder of Emerging, a fund focused on tech-driven concepts in hospitality, Focht brings decades of expertise to the table. In this interview, he shares his insights on the future of "eatertainment," the evolving role of technology, and what it takes to identify and scale the next big idea in the experiential economy. I sat down with Focht to discuss how Emerging's strategic investments are shaping the future of hospitality and the key factors that drive success in this high-growth industry.

Mathew Focht of Emerging Fund: Investing in the Future of Tech-Driven Hospitality and Experiential Concepts

Building a business around safer, non-toxic home goods isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. That belief drove Jordan Nathan to launch Caraway in 2019, starting with ceramic non-stick cookware as a healthier alternative to traditional Teflon-coated pans. Since then, the brand has expanded into bakeware, food storage, and other home essentials, all while staying true to its mission of eliminating toxic materials from everyday products.&nbsp; I sat down with Nathan to learn how he’s scaling Caraway, navigating retail expansion, and ensuring the brand’s commitment to safety and design remains at the forefront.

Building a business around safer, non-toxic home goods isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. That belief drove Jordan Nathan to launch Caraway in 2019, starting with ceramic non-stick cookware as a healthier alternative to traditional Teflon-coated pans. Since then, the brand has expanded into bakeware, food storage, and other home essentials, all while staying true to its mission of eliminating toxic materials from everyday products.  I sat down with Nathan to learn how he’s scaling Caraway, navigating retail expansion, and ensuring the brand’s commitment to safety and design remains at the forefront.

Jordan Nathan on Scaling Caraway and Innovating Non-Toxic Home Goods

In a world where personalized experiences are increasingly central to consumer satisfaction, Ben McKean has built Hungryroot into a leader in the personalized grocery service industry. McKean, who founded the company in 2015, shares his journey from a traditional packaged food business to a cutting-edge, AI-driven platform that tailors grocery shopping to customers’ goals and preferences. In this interview, McKean discusses the pivotal moments that shaped Hungryroot’s success, the role of AI in revolutionizing food delivery, and his advice for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt industries.

In a world where personalized experiences are increasingly central to consumer satisfaction, Ben McKean has built Hungryroot into a leader in the personalized grocery service industry. McKean, who founded the company in 2015, shares his journey from a traditional packaged food business to a cutting-edge, AI-driven platform that tailors grocery shopping to customers’ goals and preferences. In this interview, McKean discusses the pivotal moments that shaped Hungryroot’s success, the role of AI in revolutionizing food delivery, and his advice for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt industries.

Transforming Grocery Shopping with AI-Powered Personalization at Hungryroot

As the spirits industry navigates shifting consumer trends and evolving market landscapes, staying agile has become essential for growth, even for a company that is 137 years old.&nbsp; I sat down with Paul Basford, President of William Grant &amp; Sons USA, to discuss how this family-owned, independent company famous for brands such as Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, and Milagro Tequila has adapted to change. In our discussion, Basford talks about their data-driven approach to regional shifts, the company’s commitment to core brands, and strategies for cultivating a strong, future-focused team culture.

As the spirits industry navigates shifting consumer trends and evolving market landscapes, staying agile has become essential for growth, even for a company that is 137 years old.  I sat down with Paul Basford, President of William Grant and Sons USA, to discuss how this family-owned, independent company famous for brands such as  Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, and Milagro Tequila has adapted to change. In our discussion, Basford talks about their data-driven approach to regional shifts, the company’s commitment to core brands, and strategies for cultivating a strong, future-focused team culture.

How a 137-Year-Old Company Stays on Top of Changing Consumer Trends

How William Grant and Sons, a 137-Year-Old Company, Stays on Top of Changing Consumer Trends

Predicting the Turn is a podcast dedicated to equipping business leaders with the tools they need to navigate today’s ever-changing business landscape. Our host, Dave Knox, is a global thought leader in digital transformation, an international public speaker, and an award-winning author with experience in the worlds of both Fortune 500 companies and startups. Through this podcast, you will learn how to meet your industry's inevitable disruption head-on.

MìLà's Culinary Journey: From Restaurant Success to CPG Triumph in the Evolving Landscape of Asian Cuisine

DESCRIPTION

Today's Host

Dave Knox

Recent Episodes