In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Sahithya Wintrich, the founder of Chutni Punch. Inspired by traditional South Indian chutni powders, Sahithya has turned her family's recipes into a unique line of seasonings that can be used in many types of dishes, not just Indian food.

Sahithya shares her journey into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, discussing the challenges she faced with product development, branding, and the importance of listening to customer feedback. She talks about her experiences promoting Chutni Punch at trade shows, building relationships with retailers, and balancing her business with her personal life.

Together, Grace and Sahithya explore the importance of building a community and creating new products that help people enjoy tasty, healthy meals. Grace praises Chutni Punch for its success and its contribution to the startup CPG world.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode! Tune in to learn from Sahithya’s journey and discover how you can make your own mark in the CPG industry. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share it with other entrepreneurs!

Listen in as they share about:

• Introduction to Chutni Punch
• Inspiration for the Brand
• Development Process & Branding Journey
• Product Usage & Product Versatility
• Consumer Engagement Strategies
• Trade Show Experience
• Building Retail Relationships
• Challenges of Being a Female Founder
• Branding and Community Building
• Future Plans for Chutni Punch
• 
  

Episode Links:

Website: https://chutnipunch.com/collections/frontpage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahithya-wintrich/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Paul Voge, Co-Founder and CEO at Aura Bora, a craft sparkling water company that has experienced remarkable growth from just 2 stores in 2019 to an impressive 10,000 stores in 2024. Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges and realities of running a consumer packaged goods (CPG) startup in a fiercely competitive beverage industry.

They explore the intricacies of distribution, retailer relationships, and the high stakes of navigating a market dominated by giants like Coca-Cola. Paul opens up about the operational hurdles of maintaining supply chains, forecasting demand, and the significant demands of fundraising, all while managing the emotional toll of entrepreneurship.

They emphasize the importance of resilience, setting realistic expectations, and finding fulfillment in the entrepreneurial journey, despite the sacrifices and stresses involved. Paul offers valuable insights on maintaining a healthy mindset and the continuous learning required to build a sustainable business.

Tune in to gain practical advice and inspiration for aspiring founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Listen in as they share about:

• Profitability and Challenges of the Beverage Industry
• Differences Between Big Brands and Small Startups
• Acquisition Pathway
• Distributor and Retailer Relationships
• Consumer Competition
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Excitement vs. Stress in Growing a Business
• Challenges in Operations and Logistics
• Constant Learning and Adapting
• Balancing Personal and Business Life
• Corporate Careers vs. Entrepreneurship
• Setting Goals and Expectations

Episode Links:

Website: https://aurabora.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulvoge/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy welcomes Daniela Suarez, co-founder of iCalm Health, a pioneering company focused on creating natural supplements for stress relief. They delve into the inspiring journey of icalm, from its early beginnings to the intricacies of product development and the challenges that come with building a brand in the health industry.

Daniela shares the obstacles she faced, including a startling incident involving a scam related to a celebrity endorsement, which highlights the critical importance of trust within the entrepreneurial community. One of the most fascinating aspects of this conversation is Daniela's experience co-founding a business with her sibling. She emphasizes how their familial bond enhances collaboration and creativity in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Daniela also underscores the significance of building connections in the startup ecosystem and discusses how organizations like Startup CPG play a vital role in fostering collaboration and support among entrepreneurs.

Tune in for valuable insights on resilience, community, and innovation in the competitive world of natural supplements!

Listen in as they share about:

• icalm Health Overview
• Awareness of Anxiety|
• Development of the Product
• Research and Formulation
• Launch Strategy and Target Audience
• Product Stability and Ingredients
• Flavor and Taste
• Shelf-Stable Product
• Working with Family

Episode Links:

Website: https://icalm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-suarez-55b97a25/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics