In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, whose journey from incarceration to building a purpose driven brand is redefining what it means to make a comeback. Her story is a powerful example that your past does not define your future, and that resilience can be the foundation for something much bigger.

Emily shares how she transformed adversity into opportunity, starting Comeback Snacks from her favourite snack, popcorn, while in prison and building it from the ground up. Rooted in a mission of redemption, her work extends beyond her own story by creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with criminal backgrounds. From early challenges to gaining traction in the competitive CPG space, she offers an honest look at what it takes to start over and build a brand with purpose.

We also explore the intersection of purpose and profitability, and how businesses can create real change while scaling. Emily’s story is a reminder that second chances aren’t just personal, they can be a powerful driver of innovation, connection, and long-term success.

Connect with Emily:

Website: https://comebacksnacks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comebacksnacks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comebacksnacks/

If you like what you heard leave us a comment or a review and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

If you would like to be on the show, send us an email :

peter@skufood.com or susan@skufood.com

Keep informed and up to date about the latest news in the food industry, and follow us on social media:

• Join our weekly SKUFood newsletter
• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Thanks for listening!

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Cathline James, founder of Wise Bites, a purpose driven snack brand redefining what it means to be truly inclusive in food. Built on the belief that everyone deserves access to safe, nutritious options, Wise Bites has carved out a unique space in the better for you category with products that are free from the top 11 allergens while still delivering on taste and function.

What started as a personal mission has grown into a forward thinking brand focused on long term health, accessibility, and innovation. Wise Bites isn’t just reacting to trends, it’s anticipating them, creating products designed for a more inclusive future of food where functionality and flavour go hand in hand. From early product development to scaling into retail and food service, the brand has stayed rooted in its core purpose: allergen free snacks that make you feel good and taste good.

Cathline shares how seeing what others don’t has shaped her approach to building Wise Bites, from identifying gaps in the market to creating products that meet real, underserved needs. This conversation explores what it takes to lead with purpose while building a scalable business, and how Wise Bites is proving that the future of snacking isn’t just better for you, it’s smarter, more inclusive, and built to last.

Website: https://wise-bites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisebitescollectionsinc/
Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/wisebites0565/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WiseBitesInc

If you like what you heard leave us a comment or a review and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

If you would like to be on the show, send us an email :

peter@skufood.com or susan@skufood.com

Keep informed and up to date about the latest news in the food industry, and follow us on social media:

• Join our weekly SKUFood newsletter
• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Thanks for listening!

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Carolyne McIntyre Jackson, co-founder of Crave Cupcakes, a nationally recognized, award-winning bakery brand that has grown from a single neighbourhood shop into a multi-channel business across Western Canada.
What started with a simple goal, serve really good cake made from real ingredients and a commitment to from-scratch baking has evolved into a beloved brand known for quality, consistency, and connection. Today, Crave Cupcakes has seven bakery locations, café extensions under CeCe’s Coffee Shop, and a growing CPG presence in major retailers, while still using the same recipes and real ingredients it started with.
Carolyne shares how Crave has scaled thoughtfully, layer by layer, without compromising on product integrity, brand values, or customer experience. This conversation dives into what it really takes to scale a food brand without compromise. From staying hands-on as you grow to translating a fresh bakery experience into packaged products, Carolyne shares how Crave has built a brand that’s not only crave-worthy but built to last.

Website: https://www.cravecupcakes.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cravecupcakes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cravecupcakes
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cravecupcakes
Pinterest: https://www.tiktok.com/@cravecupcakes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crave-cookies-cupcakes/

If you like what you heard leave us a comment or a review and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

If you would like to be on the show, send us an email :

peter@skufood.com or susan@skufood.com

Keep informed and up to date about the latest news in the food industry, and follow us on social media:

• Join our weekly SKUFood newsletter
• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Thanks for listening!