Épisodes

  • #39 - Gail Kurpgeweit - Pivot North Consulting
    Mar 3 2026

    In this episode of the Behind the Food Podcast, host Daniel interviews Gail Kurpgeweit, a seasoned entrepreneur in the food industry. Gail shares her journey from starting a cupcake business to developing a successful CPG brand through her innovative menu-to-market program. The conversation delves into the challenges of food manufacturing, the importance of compliance, and effective distribution strategies for emerging brands. Gail emphasizes the need for new CPG founders to focus on building an audience, understanding their market, and innovating their products to stand out in a competitive landscape. She also discusses her future plans for expanding her manufacturing capabilities and the importance of strategic growth in the food industry.

    00:00 Introduction to Gale and CPG Journey

    05:58 Menu-to-Market: Bridging Restaurants and Retail

    11:47 Lessons Learned in Manufacturing and Compliance

    26:06 Holistic CPG Solutions

    32:04 Development Pipeline Dynamics

    39:02 Strategies for Established Brands

    47:21 Future Innovations and Expansion

    Connect with Gail

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    Connect with the Hosts

    👤 Jimmy Feeman – Linktree

    👤 Daniel Yarzagaray – LinkedIn

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    54 min
  • #38 - Hank, Daniel, Jimmy - Soup Du Jour
    Feb 27 2026

    Welcome to the random show.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

    02:40 Exploring the Food Truck Business Model

    05:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Food Truck Operations

    08:49 Innovative Concepts in Food Truck Parks

    11:56 Financing and Scaling Food Truck Ventures

    14:53 The Future of Food Trucks: Electric and Sustainable Options

    17:43 The Shift from Food Trucks to Brick and Mortar

    20:44 Franchising Insights and Lessons Learned

    26:14 Navigating Health Inspections in the Food Industry

    30:35 Franchising and Streamlining Operations

    35:36 Personal Growth and Business Evolution

    39:34 The Future of CPG IPOs and Market Trends

    46:43 Financial Strategies for CPG Founders

    48:13 Controlled Growth in CPG

    49:10 Marketing and Customer-Centric Strategies

    50:46 The Power of LinkedIn for Founders

    54:12 Embracing Failure and Finding Your Tribe

    56:18 The Importance of Taking Shots on Goal

    01:00:12 Leveraging Opportunities and Cold Emails

    01:04:29 Innovative Products and Founders' Stories

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    1 h et 12 min
  • #37 - Christina Dorr Drake - Willa's Oat Milk
    Feb 24 2026

    In this episode of the Behind the Food Podcast, Christina Dordrecht, founder of Willis, shares her journey from a successful career in advertising to launching a plant-based milk brand. She discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of family dynamics in business, and the commitment to health and wellness that drives her brand. Christina emphasizes the significance of consumer insights, the role of heritage in product development, and the need for innovation in the food industry. The conversation also touches on the impact of personal experiences, such as her battle with cancer, on her perspective as an entrepreneur.

    00:00 The Journey to Entrepreneurship

    03:01 Building a Family Business

    05:52 Navigating Personal and Professional Dynamics

    08:52 The Importance of Boundaries

    11:53 Early Signs of Success

    14:54 The Impact of Health on Business

    17:44 Product Development and Iteration

    20:43 Heritage and Values in Product Creation

    23:52 Adapting to Market Changes

    26:50 The Role of Resilience in Entrepreneurship

    33:12 Embracing Adversity and Growth

    39:27 Creativity Born from Challenges

    44:34 Consumer Evolution and Market Trends

    55:36 Innovations and Future Directions for Willows

    Connect with Our Guest

    Website - Use Code BEHINDTHEFOOD

    Instagram

    TikTok

    LinkedIn

    Connect with the Hosts

    👤 Jimmy Feeman – Linktree

    👤 Daniel Yarzagaray – LinkedIn

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    58 min
  • #1 - Mary Senese - Roni's Mac Bar
    May 12 2025

    In this episode learn about Mary's journey from small cookie dough business in her home kitchen to building a restaurant chain with 9 units and counting. Learn more about Roni's Mac Bar at https://ronismacbar.com

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    48 min
  • #4 - Hank Watt - Nature's Wild Berry
    Jul 4 2025

    Learn more about Hank and Natures Wild Berry at the link below:Linktr.ee/natureswildberry

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    1 h et 3 min
  • #36 - Jahaan Ansari - Gainful
    Feb 10 2026

    In this episode of the Behind the Food podcast, host Jimmy Feeman interviews Jahaan, co-founder of Gainful, a personalized nutrition brand. They discuss the journey of starting Gainful right out of college, the challenges faced in the early days, the importance of personalization in products, and the shift to retail. Jahaan shares insights on navigating market changes, the impact of iOS 15 on their business model, and the lessons learned from their retail experiences. The conversation also touches on fundraising, the focus on profitability, and advice for young entrepreneurs.


    00:00 Introduction to Gainful and Its Founding Story

    03:04 Navigating Early Entrepreneurship Challenges

    06:01 The Importance of Personalization in Product Development

    09:01 Growth Strategies and the Shift to Retail

    11:59 Adapting to Market Changes and Diversification

    14:59 Lessons from Launching in Retail

    17:45 The Future of Gainful and Industry Insights

    30:46 The Evolution of DTC and Retail Dynamics

    31:44 Funding Journey: From Internships to Angel Investors

    33:30 Navigating the Challenges of Raising Capital

    36:21 The Shift Towards Profitability Post-COVID

    38:50 Lessons from Retail: The Importance of Product Channel Fit

    42:38 Focusing on What Works: A New Strategy for Growth

    46:32 Retail Strategy: Learning from Past Experiences

    53:40 Advice to My Younger Self: Embracing the Journey


    Connect with Jahaan

    Website

    Instagram

    TikTok

    LinkedIn


    Connect with the Hosts

    👤 Jimmy Feeman – Linktree
    👤 Daniel Yarzagaray – LinkedIn

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    1 h
  • #24- Behind The Wine with Dan Sachs
    Dec 3 2025

    Summary


    In this episode of Behind the Wine, hosts Jimmy Feeman and Dan Sachs explore the world of wine, focusing on how to choose the right wines for Thanksgiving. They discuss the importance of understanding wine characteristics, the art of pairing wine with food, and share specific wine recommendations. The conversation also touches on the value of wine as an affordable luxury and the evolving drinking habits of younger generations. Listeners are encouraged to enjoy wine as a means of connection and celebration, especially during the holiday season.



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    1 h
  • #32 - David Czinn - D'vash Organics
    Feb 9 2026

    In this episode of the Behind the Food Podcast, David Zinn shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing his experiences with his first business, Fruity's Organic Fruit Snacks, and the evolution of his current venture, Devash. He discusses the importance of focusing on profitability, developing diverse revenue streams, and navigating the challenges of the CPG industry. David emphasizes the significance of customer relationships, pricing strategies, and adapting to market trends, particularly in the health and wellness space. He also highlights the need for continuous product development and the importance of listening to customer feedback.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to David Zinn and His Journey

    04:07 The Evolution of Fruity's Organic Fruit Snacks

    08:02 Transitioning to Date Products and the Birth of Devash

    11:58 Revenue Streams and Profitability Strategies

    16:06 Navigating Challenges in the CPG Industry

    19:40 Building Relationships and Maintaining Quality

    23:54 The Importance of Supply Chain Management

    25:23 Navigating Supply Chain Challenges

    28:20 Adapting to Market Changes

    31:22 Exploring New Product Opportunities

    35:49 Listening to Consumer Needs

    39:34 The Future of Fiber and Health Trends


    Connect with David

    www.dvashorganics.com

    LinkedIn


    Connect with the Hosts

    👤 Jimmy Feeman – Linktree

    👤 Daniel Yarzagaray – LinkedIn


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    44 min