Predicting the Turn

The journey from a booming pancake empire to a new venture in protein-packed pretzels is not straightforward, but for Cameron Smith, it's a path paved with intentional growth and invaluable lessons. In this interview, the co-founder of Kodiak Cakes and now founder of Kindling discusses his strategic approach to building a brand, disrupting categories, and the evolving landscape of health-conscious snacking. He shares insights on community building, financial sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in the CPG space.

The journey from a booming pancake empire to a new venture in protein-packed pretzels is not straightforward, but for Cameron Smith, it's a path paved with intentional growth and invaluable lessons. In this interview, the co-founder of Kodiak Cakes and now founder of Kindling discusses his strategic approach to building a brand, disrupting categories, and the evolving landscape of health-conscious snacking. He shares insights on community building, financial sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in the CPG space.

Fueling Adventures: Kindling's Disruptive Snack Journey

What began as a personal quest to drink less has blossomed into a pioneering force in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. In this interview, JW Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, shares the decade-long journey of his brand, from kitchen experiments to navigating market shifts and shaping the future of social drinking. We sat down to discuss the evolution of his innovative elixirs, unique marketing strategies, and the unconventional distribution model that has propelled Curious Elixirs to the forefront of a booming category.

JW Wiseman

Founder and CEO

What began as a personal quest to drink less has blossomed into a pioneering force in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. In this interview, JW Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, shares the decade-long journey of his brand, from kitchen experiments to navigating market shifts and shaping the future of social drinking. We sat down to discuss the evolution of his innovative elixirs, unique marketing strategies, and the unconventional distribution model that has propelled Curious Elixirs to the forefront of a booming category.

The Curious Case of Booze-Free Beverages

Suja Life, once a pioneer in the cold-pressed juice industry, has undergone a significant transformation under the leadership of CEO Maria Stipp. Shifting from a single brand to a "house of brands," Suja has expanded its portfolio to include innovative products like Vive Organic wellness shots and Slice, a better-for-you soda. In this interview, Stipp shares insights on Suja's growth, the company’s strategic approach to acquisitions, and how it stays ahead in the competitive functional wellness beverage space.

Maria Stipp

CEO, Suja Life

Suja Life, once a pioneer in the cold-pressed juice industry, has undergone a significant transformation under the leadership of CEO Maria Stipp. Shifting from a single brand to a "house of brands," Suja has expanded its portfolio to include innovative products like Vive Organic wellness shots and Slice, a better-for-you soda. In this interview, Stipp shares insights on Suja's growth, the company’s strategic approach to acquisitions, and how it stays ahead in the competitive functional wellness beverage space.

From Cold-Pressed Juice to Functional Wellness: Suja Life’s Evolution Under CEO Maria Stipp

In a crowded beverage market dominated by sugary, traditional options, Halfday is carving a new path with its prebiotic-infused iced teas. I sat down with co-founder Mike Lombardo to hear the story behind the brand's creation and growth, starting from a personal health journey to a successful product on shelves nationwide. In this interview, we dive into Halfday’s origin story, its innovative approach to flavor and health, and how the brand is challenging industry norms.

Mike Lombardo

Co-Founder, Halfday Tea

In a crowded beverage market dominated by sugary, traditional options, Halfday is carving a new path with its prebiotic-infused iced teas. I sat down with co-founder Mike Lombardo to hear the story behind the brand's creation and growth, starting from a personal health journey to a successful product on shelves nationwide. In this interview, we dive into Halfday’s origin story, its innovative approach to flavor and health, and how the brand is challenging industry norms.

How a Gut Health Journey Turned Into a Beverage Brand Revolution

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

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.

Fueling Adventures: Kindling's Disruptive Snack Journey

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