CPG Vibes (Alex Bayer & Wade Yenny)

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny (Jimbo’s Naturally) with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.  They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

After coming off a monster 'Master Series' episode last week and 3 straight weeks of events and guests, we are going back to our roots with a show featuring just our esteemed co-hosts Alex & Wade bantering back and forth and talking all things CPG.

We will cover the latest news wire hot topic items in CPG, and really focus on interacting with the audience and shouting out comments. This is basically a fan appreciation week and we will be reading every comment that comes through!

This week's sponsor is ICleanse and we will be joined by Chris Allen for the sponsorship session.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week Wade and Alex dive into what are the best areas to put your capital to maximize return on investment when it comes to running a CPG brand. There are areas that are prudent to invest in that bring short term and long term value.

There are services that while it may bring some value, are they really worth investing in and will it bring a sustainable return on your company. We do a deep dive on all things CPG services and dissect what's worth it or not depending on company size.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show. This episode is sponsored by My Way 3PL and RangeMe and weekly sponsor is Rebel Eats.

Broadcasted live during Expo West 2023! Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Jake Karls is the co-founder and Rainmaker at the modern day Willy Wonka factory, Mid-Day Squares. He is larger than life with a tremendous amount of energy and passion for his brand. His co-founders are his sister Lezlie, and Lezlie's husband Nick.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

We talk about all the brands that we love and enjoy every week, from Prana, to CanDo Keto Krisp, to beverages, to supplements. We are fanboys of some great brands and products out there.

On this rare episode, Alex also sings "Strong Enough" cover, originally from Sheryl Crow.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 3rd, 2025 including Trump Tariff Delays, Kehe Summer Show, Legacy Brand Out of Business, and a Valuable Fundraising Workshop worth attending

The leaders of Canada and Mexico said Monday that the U.S. had agreed to delay tariffs on their countries by at least 30 days. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will begin implementing a $1.3 billion border plan during the pause. Businesses across North America have been assessing the potential impact of the levies announced by President Donald Trump, as well as possible retaliation. Tariffs on America's biggest trading partners could upend industries from energy to food, beverage, health, and beauty

The Kehe Summer Show will be held February 4-5 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ. Expect many buyers and emerging brands to be there as usual. Applications are of course closed since the show starts tomorrow, but never too late as a buyer to go, see the latest and greatest, and submit orders in the spot on the show floor

Alison Cayne, Founder of Haven's Kitchen, a brand that has had longevity in the better for you sauce category, has unfortunately ceased operations effective February 1st, 2025.Ali Cayne wrote on her Linkedin Post:

"This is a tough post to write. Haven’s Kitchen is ceasing operations today. There’s a lot I’d like to say, and a lot of thoughts that haven’t formed into coherent sentences yet. They will come.

For now, though, nothing feels as important as thanking the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past several years. From a brilliant, hilarious team, to supportive and gracious investors, to retail, marketing, finance, and manufacturing partners that felt more on the boat than off it — I’ve been a lucky one. "

Sign up now for Jeff Church's 3 Day FREE Virtual 3-Day CPG Fundraising Workshop. Learn how Jeff scaled Suja beyond $100M through fundraising to grow the business.

📅 Workshop Dates: February 4–6, 2025

⏰ Time: 9:00 AM PT (75-minute sessions)

🌐 Format: Virtual: https://learn.dreammakershq.com/3-day-workshop

What makes a store tick when it comes to merchandising? What goes through store managers' minds when they are strategizing their merchandising, store shelf displays, and how does corporate center store work through different seasons? We discuss things from the retailer perspective.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny (Jimbo’s Naturally) with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

In this very important episode, we have entrepreneurs share their stories of burnout and what they are doing to overcome and reduce or prevent burnout.

We are bringing on the following entrepreneurs: Jake Karls of Mid-Day Squares, Drew Henry of Revival Tea, and Luke Abbott of VDriven to discuss and share some of their tips and strategies.

This episode is sponsored by PFE (Power Full Energy) Distribution.

In this episode we will discuss more about presenting your new item in retail and strategies with the category manager, will talk more about the happenings at Expo West and events to look out for, and anything else CPG related.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

We are happy to be back after taking two weeks off for the holidays! Alex and Wade are going to discuss their bold predictions for 2025 in the CPG Space, plus we are celebrating 3 years of CPG Vibes (with many more years to come!)

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show. This episode is sponsored by Melting Forest.

After an action packed 'Master Series' Episode last week, we are returning back to our classic format of No Script, Just Chat with the usual CPG banter back and forth.

We will talk all things CPG, shout out comments from the audience, and review any big CPG news items.

This episode is sponsored by Kyowa USA (makers of Cognizin and Immuse). On Going sponsors are RangeMe and My Way 3PL.

Wade from the buyer's perspective and Alex fro the brand's perspective, they discuss how to pitch a retailer and optimizing your presentation.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Brokers help run the CPG world and provide access to retailers with presentations and approvals of items. We discuss how to best manage this delicate relationship. Also, what is the best strategy on emailing buyers. Wade shares his tips from the buying side of the table.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

We are VERY excited about our special edition 'Outside The Tank' (Volume 3) coming at you this Friday. For those that don't know, we bring on CPG entrepreneurs who appeared on Shark Tank live on ABC aired in front of millions at home.

Daniel Zakowski CEO of Ready. Set. Food!

Hank Watt Founder of Nature's Wild Berry

Josh Belinsky

Slate Milk

Each will share their stories leading up to Shark Tank to the moment they entered show on the famous Persian rug in front of the Sharks to pitch their product.

Some areas we will cover with our guests:

-What was taped but never made it to air?

-Where are the brands now and how was Shark Tank affected their company's growth?

-Best/worst parts of their pitch?

-Did the deal actually go through (if there was a deal on air)?-Much more!

This episode is sponsored by Walid Nasserdeen and W.NDeen Advisory and our on-going sponsors RangeMe and My Way 3PL

We discuss about how doing live events is a great way to generate revenue and also get feedback in real time to see if people like your product. Since they are paying real dollars for it, they will be honest!

Getting feedback for your product, especially in the early days, is crucial to reiterating and perfecting your product line before it goes national.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

After a 2 week break for Christmas and New Year's, we are BACK to discuss all things CPG. Some topics we plan to discuss: Upcoming trade shows, review cycles in full swing, some new Series A funding events, and more!

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

This week we are going to cover the endless landmines that are in CPG and how to conquer these with strategy and making the right decisions at the right time.

There are a few very important areas that can 'make or break' a CPG brand including:

- Distribution strategy

- COGS and point of profitability

- Channels to pursue and NOT pursue

- Packaging and refrigerated vs. shelf-stable

- and Much more

Our weekly sponsor is Power Full Energy and Robert Cogan and our on-going sponsor is RangeMe.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Jeff founded JPG Resources as an avenue to help build businesses across the food industry. By combining the technical background from a decade of hands-on Product Development experience with the leadership and management perspective gained from integral involvement as a business leader as they grew Kashi by 30x over 8 years, he is able to offer a unique set of skills and experiences to partners.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

On this week's episode, Wade is traveling and so we are having Nick Saltarelli, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares is joining us as the honorary co-host for our show.

We will talk all things CPG as usual and Nick will share the latest and greatest at MDS. If you want to ask questions and have us shout out comments, make sure to watch on Linkedin Live!

The prize this week will be a 12 pack of Mid-Day Squares for a lucky winner.

Our on-going sponsors are Vdriven and RangeMe.

This week's sponsor is Power Full Energy Distribution and Robert Cogan.

Obvi's founders were dedicated to bringing re-generative ingredients in delicious drinks to the market. The variety of products offers tastes for everybody - making it the obvious choice for our customers that want to do something beneficial for their hair, nails,skin, bones and gut health - instead of just drinking mostly harmful products. Consume and rejuvenate!

Collagen depletion at progressed age is the #1 reason for lines and wrinkles, dry skin, hair breakage, bad nail and bone, and joint support.

Obvi alleviates these problems and delivers taste coupled with benefits.

To see more detail go to www.myobvi.com and sign up for your free trial. You will be glad you did.

Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Rachel is a keynote speaker and presents to thousands every year at special events. She is also the CEO of Unmuted, which is a coaching group session and public events to inspire leaders in organizations.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week we are bringing on 3 accomplished CEOs that are currently running or have run successful CPG Brands. We hear about their strategy on scaling brands including innovation, leadership and team building, market opportunity, distribution strategies, and much more.

We are bringing on the following:

Jeff Church - Previous CEO of Suja

Max Dichter - CEO of 4th and Heart

John Foraker - CEO of Once Upon a Farm

This episode is sponsored by Power Full Energy. Our on-going sponsor is RangeMe.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 37 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Luke is the founder and owner of VDriven, a CPG centric company that aids and helps CPG brands in numerous areas of their journey from raising capital, accounting, deduction management, to CEO coaching, and retail domination best practices.
Luke is excited to bring what he has learned in growing purpose-driven companies to revitalize businesses through his advisory practice.
He also enjoys sharing his challenges and successes along the way and welcome new connections.

We speculate whether Expo West will happen or not. Also, we are doubling down on comments and shouting out our community.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny (Jimbo’s Naturally) with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.  They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week is a special edition episode with returning guest, Co-Founder and Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, Jake Karls. Our audience can 'Ask Jake Anything!' whether it's about his chocolate empire, to how he checks into therapy to take care of his mental health, to CPG strategy. Mid-Day Squares is an idea of what a healthy afternoon craving killer should taste like. It was designed for those on the go that want to cut their hunger and cravings in between meals. It’s made entirely with superfoods and all of the ingredients are raw, vegan, gluten-free and made with organic ingredients. Most importantly, it's made with real chocolate and tastes just like chocolate.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

CPG Vibes - Episode 121 - Expert Series (Volume 2) - Crowdfunding

This week is our 2nd edition of our Expert Series, where we bring on experts in specific areas to help the CPG community.

This edition is all about crowdfunding (a.k.a community rounds)We are bringing on from the crowdfunding platform side Justin Renfro, Head of Partnerships with Wefunder and Harrison Bert, Director of Fundraising at Start Engine.

We are also bringing from the brand side: Hayley Painter, Co-Founder of Painterland Sisters who recently maxed their raised at $1.24M on Wefunder, and Emanuel Storch, CEO of Blackbird foods who is currently raising on Start Engine and approaching $100,000.

We will discuss whether crowdfunding is right for you, strategies for a successful campaign, structures to consider when raising online, and the pros and cons of raising online versus traditional fundraising.

We also want to thank our on-going sponsors Vdriven and RangeMe, and this week’s sponsor Naturally LA and Executive Director Rana Manzi.

This is one you don't want to miss!

This week Alex is on the road for our broadcast in the Sunshine state (Florida) and Wade is back at home.

It's been a lot of travel and unexpected events these past few weeks, but co-hosts Alex and Wade are reunited for the first time in 3 weeks, bantering back and forth as usual and engaging with the community.

We will be discussing major relevant items in CPG and also shouting out comments.

Our on-going sponsors are Vdriven and RangeMe and they are offering discount deals on their services that we will mention during the show.

This week's sponsor is Power Full Energy and Robert Cogan.

We discuss the continual struggle of CPG Brands through 2023 and how money has dried up and there is a strong focus on profitability. Is there an end in sight or will this continue through 2024? Our predictions are in this episode.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week we are all about offering insights to help the CPG Founder and sales team. Alex Bayer offers complimentary advice on crowdfunding for anyone interested in raising online whether it's a security based raise or kickstarter.

Wade offers advice from a buyer's perspective and how to win at retail both in the category manager meeting and also once you're on shelf. We also discuss any CPG current events.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Noah is an energetic entrepreneur that is in love with hibiscus and wants to bring it to the mass market. A great way to fight inflammation and boost your hydration, Noah is looking to continue educating the consumer on the benefits of his drink.
Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

We are excited to have our 2nd installment of our Master Series. We bring on inspiring and accomplished individuals from the CPG community to share their wealth of knowledge on our show LIVE and answer any questions from the audience.

For this special episode we are featuring:

Jake Karls - Co-Founder of Mid-Day Squares

Mike Fata - Founder of Manitoba Harvest and Investor/Advisor

Seth Goldman - Co-Founder of Honest Tea and Just Ice tea

Kari Pedriana - Co-Founder of Green Spoon Sales

Rajesh 'Raj' Babu

Partner

Boulder Food Group

We are beyond excited this week to announce the very first edition of our 'Outside The Tank' Special Edition Series. We bring on CPG entrepreneurs who have appeared on Shark Tank and presented their brand to the sharks.

This Volume 1 episode features:

Jake Deleon (Fila Manila)

Kirsten Maitland (Rebel Cheese)

Michael Pan (Pan's Mushroom Jerky)

Sean Riley (DUDE Wipes)

Kendra Bennett (Bon Bee Honey)

Paul Voge (Aura Bora)

We specifically discuss on this episode:

-Where are they now?

-What impact did Shark Tank have on your brand and sales?

-If there was a deal, did it go through in due diligence?

-Any interesting conversations that never made it to air with the Sharks?

and so much more!

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Tom is a Co-Founder in Brandjectory & Co-Founder & Partner at The Litchfield Fund.
Brandjectory is the new, innovative social media platform to connect CPG Food & Beverage founders with interested investors. Brandjectory helps founders build an investable business and build relationships with investors. Visit www.BrandjectoryNow.com or contact hello@brandjectory.com.
Tom has more than 30 years experience in leadership & consulting roles in General Business, Operations, Technology, & Retail Delivery. His broad experience includes Production Management, Client Experience, Risk Management, Continuous Process Improvement, Business Process Re-engineering, & 3rd Party Production/Vendor Management.
Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

For over 30 years, Miyoko has dedicated her life to creating a more compassionate food and economic system that honors animals as living beings with lives of their own, not as commodities for humans.
She is the author of 6 books, made the Forbes 50 Over 50 list, a speaker, and an entrepreneur.
Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Another episode of CPG Vibes coming at ya!

A couple of great topics we will be covering include Trending Categories and what's next to look out for. Especially if you are doing innovation or creating a new product or company, this episode is for you.

We will also have an 'Ask Us Anything' format where the audience can ask Wade or Alex anything and we will answer, whether we like the question or not!

This PLUS just good old fashioned banter and CPG chat between Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny.

Our on-going sponsors are My Way 3PL and RangeMe and this week's sponsor is Kyowa (Cognizin and Immuse)

Coming off a fantastic Expert Series episode last week, we are back and it's just the two of us: Alex and Wade. There has been extensive travel and different special edition episodes, and we are happy to be back to basics and both back on the live show together.

We will be discussing Newtopia Now, the most recent event addition by New Hope, and our predictions on how the event will go since this is essentially the replacement for Expo East.

We will also look at common pitfalls committed by CPG brands and how to avoid these. A must-listen for any CPG entrepreneur.

Our on-going sponsors are My Way 3PL and Rangeme. Our weekly sponsor for this episode is Cognizin.

Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Shane is the Founder/CEO of MUD/WTR, which is re-shaping how the consumer enjoys their morning ritual and is a replacement for coffee. Shane deeply feels caffeine is essentially not good for us, and his product MUD/WTR includes a blend of herbs, mushrooms, and cacao (Masala chai, chaga, lions mane, and cordyceps + cacao, turmeric, cinnamon and sea salt).

His brand which started as a DTC (direct-to-consumer) play has now expanded to Matcha, Turmeric, and a night-time version without cacao. His brand also recently launched an exclusive in Target.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

This week we are joined by 3 dynamic female founders that have started CPG brands scaling nationally in retail stores and online. Just 13 % of all start-ups are female-founded, so we wanted to give a spotlight on female-led companies and their personal stories on starting their past and present brands.

In no particular order, we are joined by Karen Danudjaja, Co-founder of Blume. Nicole Dawes, Founder of Nixie Beverage Company, and Lan Pham, Founder of Sang Vietnamese Coffee.

This week's episode is sponsored by Social Nature. Our on-going sponsors are RangeMe and My Way 3PL

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

After a wonderful Expert Series last week, we are back to our normal format of just Alex and Wade chatting all things CPG.

This week we will share the NOSH recap in Marina Del Rey and how the event went and also the Pitch Slam Winner.

NOSH is presented by BevNet. We will also share some tips and strategies on getting into Sprouts, including the coveted innovation set where brands are entered into over 400 doors on a 3 month test before expanding into the main Sprouts set.

This episode is sponsored by Creative Kaiju and our on-going sponsor RangeMe.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

We are broadcasting LIVE from the ilevelbrands North Hall booth hashtag#N2223 (2nd floor) and will be featuring guests from the expo floor just popping in. This is our 2nd year doing a show live from the show floor and we could not be more excited!

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

This week we will discuss the controversial Lunchables competitor being launched by Mr Beast, Logan Paul, and KSI. We also will have an extended session talking about all the brands and products in Alex and Wade's fridges and pantries that we absolutely love.

Our episode sponsor is Rebel Eats and Trevor Smith.

Our on-going sponsor are My Way 3PL and RangeMe. Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

This week we discuss the after-math of Foxtrot abruptly closing their doors and the ripple effect it has caused in the CPG industry with suppliers, emerging brands, distributors, and others affected by this unfortunate event. We will also discuss the reality of building a CPG brand in this environment and how the survival rate is low and brands are going out of business left and right.

This week's episode is co-sponsored by Seven Teas and Power Full Energy and our on-going sponsors RangeMe and Vdriven.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Wade and Alex talk about how to select the right retailers for your brand and the ramifications of growing revenue for the sake of growth and not being strategic on what retailer is best. What questions should a brand ask themselves when thinking about a retailer to pitch to?

Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Nature's Wild Berry - The Flavor Enhancing Wild Berry Turns Sour Sweeter Than Sugar In 30 Seconds! Unlock hidden flavors that make healthy food taste like candy! Natures Wild Berry is a freeze dried ledidi berry that gives you sweetness without a sweetener. People are aware that they should curb their sugar intake and we don't think the answer is more or better artificial sweeteners - we think the answer is real food and this solves for both!
Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

We are coming at ya this week with recommendations and strategy for your trade show schedule in 2025 including Expo West, Newtopia Now, Fancy Foods, UNFI, Kehe, and many others worth attending.

Back by popular demand, we will continue our 'Stuff We Love' segment and share more brands and products we love that are in Alex's or Wade's pantries and fridges.

This episode is sponsored by Revival Tea and they are currently raising an online crowdfunding round at https://lnkd.in/gFXbgQ5r and are approaching $400k raised!

Our on-going sponsors are My Way 3PL and RangeMe. See you there!

Mark is a dad and a health and fitness enthusiast. And he has 17 years of start-up experience. He is currently the founder and CEO of IWON Organics, a plant-based food company that makes bold, flavor-infused snacks and cereal made from plant proteins like peas, beans and brown rice - our mission is to help others with their health and nutrition journey. IWON (I'm Winning on Nutrition) is focused on promoting healthy snacking and successful, long-term eating habits based on the principles of balanced nutritional profiles, made up of healthy proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
IWON's snacks can be found in over 5,000 stores nationwide, including Kroger's, Wegmans, Sprouts, Whole Foods (SoPac and NorCal regions), Vitamin Shoppe, Safeway, Ralphs, Brookshire’s, and online at iwonorganics.com, Amazon and Thrive Market.
Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

On this week's episode, we discuss whether a CPG owner should call it quits or keep going in this environment. We are hearing the stories of struggle. What are the signs and how can you either keep going through adversity or pivot to do something new? (consulting, join another company). We also will discuss news items (OWYN acquisition) and much more!

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week we discuss something that has been on the minds of CPG entrepreneurs the last 2 years with the macro-economic challenges. "Should I start a CPG Brand right now?" And those that are knee deep in running their brand, when is it okay to continue, or what are the signs that it may not be working and better to cut your losses?

These are not comfortable topics by any means, but Wade and Alex will dive into this important discussion.

This episode is sponsored by RangeMe and our weekly sponsor is Melting Forest.

Our coveted 'Master Series' is back after a 3 month break. We are excited to bring on CPG pros who are masters of their own craft and have found massive success in the space.

We are being joined by Will Nitze, CEO and Founder of fast growing functional bar brand, IQ Bar. Ben Mand, CEO of Guayaki Yerba Mate.

And Tom Hicks, previous CEO and current Chief Commercial Officer of Zico Coconut Water.

This episode is sponsored by WN Deen Advisory with Walid Naserdeen.

Our on-going sponsor is RangeMe. Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 37 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Trump Tariffs and how they will affect CPG Brands and consumers, Emerging Brands New Launches in Retail, and Expo West Gouging

The controversial Trump Tariffs announced over the weekend will be going into effect on Tuesday, February 4th, placing up to a 25 % tariff on all goods with exception to energy which is at 10 %. Canada has since retaliated and is threatening to impose their own tariffs on up to $300B worth of US goods coming into Canada starting in February.

According to Trump: He has said he plans to impose tariffs for three reasons. “Number one is the people that have poured into our country so horribly and so much,” he said on Thursday. “Number two are the drugs, fentanyl and everything else that have come into the country. Number three are the massive subsidies that we’re giving to Canada and to Mexico in the form of deficits.”

These tariffs are expected to affect thousands of CPG brands manufacturing and shipping from Canada and Mexico, resulting in higher prices in retail, and potentially affecting velocities and a reduction in sales for these brands looking to continuing to grow in retail

According to Mike Fata, Founder of Manitoba Harvest, an entrepreneur who resides in Canada, his latest Linkedin Post says: "Remember, We can be pro-family, pro-team, and pro-country, without crapping on others"

In retail expansion news: Glonuts has expanded to Texas and is rolling out to 153 HEB Stores. Also, it may be slightly old news, but WIld Wonder has also expanded nationally in Whole Foods

New Hope's Expo West is catching some flack for their high prices for this year's Natural Products Expo West Show, with badge passes costs for manufacturers, suppliers, and other business service companies as high as $4,500 per person. This definitely locks out some emerging brands and service providers looking to grow their business and network

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

In this episode, we are opening the floor to our community to ask us questions and raise any topic you would like to discuss. Whether it's supply chain, sales strategy, packaging and branding tips, fundraising, crowdfunding, you name it. We'll chat about it!

This is a truly No Script, Just Chat episode and anything goes! This episode is sponsored by Playper - Re-Imagining Kids Toys for a More Sustainable Future

Crowdfunding Campaign to invest now in Playper: www.wefunder.com/playper

Equitea is a black-owned tea company committed to sharing the wisdom of better health and collective experience to make mental health management and wellness equitable for all.

We are joined by CPG legend Mike Fata, founder of Manitoba Harvest and now investing and advising on a daily basis. He has made investments in brands such as Mid-Day Squares, Sol Cuisine, Nuts for Cheese

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week we are beyond excited and blown away to have Metta World Peace, the first professional athlete to be on our show!
A decorated NBA Champion who played 19 seasons in the NBA, notably with the Los Angeles Lakers, and won an NBA Championship title in 2010 vs. the Boston Celtics. His most well-known shot is his Game 7 clinching 3-pointer with a pass from Kobe.
More recently, Metta is in the world of investing and building businesses. He is involved in everything from cryptocurrency, to fin-tech, to food and beverage.
In addition, he runs and co-created the XvsX basketball league in the Southern CA community with players that are just under pro.
Hear his story from his time with the NBA to investing and becoming an entrepreneur.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Products now cannot only taste good, but they need to offer functional value to convince consumers to cross the aisle and pick up your product.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week Wade and Alex discuss Newtopia Now - the very first event of its kind that took place in Denver, CO this past week August 25-27, 2024. We will list out any news and feedback from this convention and also shout out comments from the audience and anyone who attended.

On the flip side, brain health products that improve cognitive ability, focus and brain function are continually on the rise. What is the future of this category and how will brands continue to innovate to make an impact and gain market share? Our opinions will be shared.

This week's episode if sponsored by Rebel Eats, and our on-going sponsors My Way 3PL and RangeMe.

Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

What brands are about to catch fire and need to be watched as the next wave of the future? Wade and Alex will submit their predictions and share what brands they think are the next ones to explode on the scene. We also share what stores we shop at and why and what about the experience keeps us coming back.

This episode is sponsored by Robert Cogan and Power Full Energy Distribution. Our on-going sponsors are My Way 3PL and RangeMe.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

Yuval is an extremely unique individual and dare we say, a savior to the CPG Community. He offers several services that immensely help the CPG Community including tool-kits to better run your CPG brand (trade-spend, retail on shelf management, inventory management, and much more)
He is also the podcast host of 7 Hats Podcast as well, a wonderful podcast that cuts the bullshit and gets right to the heart of what motivates an entrepreneur in running a business, and dives into the personality and emotions of that entrepreneur no holds barred.
Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

BevNET.com is the leading beverage-oriented media company, producing a web site, print magazine, and live conference series. The company was founded in 1996 by John Craven, with its mission to offer, through products in a variety of media, the best, most comprehensive forum for news coverage, expertise, partnership and support for all members of the beverage community.
Since its inception, BevNET.com has become a recognized authority on the beverage industry. BevNET.com and its employees are often used as sources for media publications looking for industry information, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Detroit Free Press, CNBC and Wired Magazine.
Website
https://www.bevnet.com/

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Retailers are seeing retail pricing increases at a record number with inflation and the pull back of the market looming.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on LinkedIn, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Seed Ranch Flavor Co. creates sophisticated flavors to make everyday meals extraordinary. They hand select quality, honest, fresh ingredients and blend, stir, and simmer every sauce to its truest perfection. Real, quality ingredients make for real, better food.
Seed Ranch Flavor Co.’s hot sauces are made with all non-gmo, organic, and natural ingredients. Inspired by homemade sauces, they never use preservatives, emulsifiers, or flavorings. All our sauces are plant-based, vegan, gluten-free and paleo friendly.
In addition, in 2022, Grown As* Foods was born with delicious vegan mac 'n' cheese products including Original and Truffle.

This week we are going back to our roots with bantering back and forth. However, this episode is different since Alex Bayer is OUT with a cold and none other than Mark Samuel steps in to co-host

We will be discussing major relevant items in CPG and also shouting out comments.

Stop on by and enjoy our informative and entertaining chat on all things CPG.

Our on-going sponsors are Vdriven and RangeMe and they are offering discount deals on their services that we will mention during the show.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Jennifer is a multi-talented executive leader in the future of food and tech innovation space. Building her career in the tech industry under Silicon Valley's most prolific investor, Ron Conway, she has worked with the world's largest tech brands, such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Pivoting to the burgeoning industry of alternative protein and food technology, Jennifer is an industry expert and thought leader, powering the world's largest global platform of mission-driven women founders working to create the future of food, fashion, beauty, and biotechnology. Jennifer has been featured as a speaker both domestically and internationally at many conferences, including the world’s largest tech conference, Dreamforce, and the acclaimed World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, South Korea. She has travelled internationally as a government-appointed tech delegate in multiple missions, most recently in Germany, and is regularly featured in the national press. A tri-citizen of the US, Canada, and the UK, Jennifer is an avid traveller, athlete, rescue diver, and ethical vegan. Please email all inquiries to jennifer@veganwomensummit.com. LinkedIn messages are not read.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This week we chat all things CPG including but not limited to the growth of prebiotic sodas (Olipop, Poppi, etc.) and how they clocked the largest year-over-year growth.

We also discuss a new prebiotic soda from founder of Koia, Maya French called 'Happy Pop.' Lastly, we talk about show touring strategies at Expo West and how to get the most out of this momentous event!

This week's episode is sponsored by GURU Energy and our on-going sponsor Vdriven.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

After a phenomenal Expert Series last week with 3 amazing Women Entrepreneurs running CPG Brands, we are back to basics with Wade and Alex and their usual back and forth banter.

We are excited to chat about a very important topic on how to build a sustainable CPG brand in this day-in-age. With capital markets drying up, brands are struggling more than ever to maintain cash flow and grow sustainably without making big mistakes which can sink their company. With a recent announcement of Better Brands (once valued at $170M) out of business, and many others before, it puts things in perspective on the most sound strategies to build a CPG brand.

Wade and Alex will discuss their thoughts on the best ways to achieve this, build a great brand, and stay in business for a the long haul.

We will also discuss emerging brands today that are nostalgic in their branding and packaging and re-inventing childhood favorites and modernizing them for today's market.

Our sponsor for this episode is The Healtea and Leila Kairns, proudly partnered with Power Full Energy Distribution and Robert Cogan.

Wade shares how to and how NOT to ship samples to category managers. We also talk about how buyers and category managers are hiding at shows so they don't get overwhelmed by brands pitching them.

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

Broadcasted LIVE on Linkedin, Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show!

This episode we hear updates from Wade on how his search is going for what's next in his career. We also discuss news on funds that have raised more capital, and the continuing difficult climate in CPG and best practices to navigate through this tough period.

This week's episode is sponsored by Origo Brands and our on-going sponsor Vdriven.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer (Genius Juice) and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events. They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.

In 1998, Marc Randolph with his co-founder Reed Hastings started the now streaming giant Netflix. They started what is now commonplace in almost every American household and changed the way we view media forever.

Marc will share his story on starting Netflix and also taking the helm of CEO during his time at the company before he stepped down.

This week's episode is sponsored by Power Full Energy Distribution (Robert Cogan). Our on-going sponsors are RangeMe and My Way 3PL.

This week is the usual banter between Alex and Wade, talking all things CPG.

The weekly sponsor is Power Full Energy (PFE) Distributing and Robert Cogan. Wade Yenny will be announcing my next stop in my work journey and trust me when we say, it WILL be an opportunity for emerging brands to hashtag#workwithwade and grow together!

On-going sponsors are RangeMe and Vdriven.

Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about all things food and beverage in the market and share what’s going on in their lives and any current events.

They also do shout-outs and answer questions live from viewers & listeners during their show.