Episodes
March 28, 2023
E14: Still learning (Expo West Recap)
Brian, Russ, (and newly minted) Jeff discuss their experience at MAKA's first Expo West. Have they told you MAKA was awarded Best New Beverage of 2023? Yeah we thought so, don't be afraid to tell them to shut up about it! Fo…
March 7, 2023
E13: Awards Season (Expo West & NEXTY Award)
Brian & Russ talk about preparing for Expo West, the company's expo strategy, and winning the NEXTY Award for Best New Beverage of 2023! The team is joined by a special guest, Jeff Maher, who was recently hired at MAKA as it…
Feb. 7, 2023
E12: Sprouting Up! (Retailer Launch)
Brian & Russ talk about preparing to launch nationwide in Sprouts Farmers Market, as well as provide important updates on being selected as an Expo West NEXTY finalist for Best New Beverage of 2023, hiring Jeff Maher as SVP …
Jan. 24, 2023
E11: Give It To Me Baby! (Sampling)
In this episode Brian & Russ discuss in-store (and out-of-store) sampling best practices, plus an update on a new investor... here's a hint "shots, shots, shots, everybody!" and he means wheatgrass shots by the way! Follow t…
Jan. 3, 2023
E10: A table between us! (Selling Shows)
Brian & Russ recap MAKA's 2022 and then dive into their experience at the company's first trade selling show. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook Making MAKA Youtube Follow t…
Dec. 20, 2022
E9: Make a plan... and then scrap it (Go to Market Strategy)
Brian & Russ talk about MAKA's go to market strategy and some of their experiences along the way. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook Making MAKA Youtube Follow the Brand at:…
Dec. 13, 2022
E8: Pitching is a cabaret, be ready to bare it all (Pitch Decks)
Brian & Russ hit the spiked egg nog hard and early, but to your benefit they are chattier than usual, breaking down their pitch deck and discussing how to effectively use various decks depending on your target audience. Fol…
Dec. 6, 2022
E7: You're only as strong as your foundation (Margins vs Markup)
Brian & Russ discuss the differences between markup & margin and the importance of making sure you're using sound supply chain assumptions so your product is priced appropriately on shelf and online. Follow the podcast at: M…
Nov. 29, 2022
E6: The secret to manufacturing... remains a secret (Production Facilities)
Brian & Russ review the pros & cons of various food & beverage manufacturing approaches and discuss why MāKā settled on co-manufacturing. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook …
Nov. 22, 2022
E5: Fake it until you make it? (Prototyping)
Brian & Russ talk about how they created product prototypes and how the prototypes were used to pitch initial retailers, investors, and customers.
Nov. 15, 2022
E4: Connecting strategy & creativity (Branding)
Brian & Russ discuss branding, agencies, and tips & tricks for building your brand story.
Nov. 8, 2022
E3: Juicing it, Juicing it, Juicing it well (Formulating)
Brian & Russ explore what it takes to create a compelling formulation and how to identify and work with a formulator. Tools mentioned in the podcast: Startup CPG ^ fyi, these are not affiliate links - we just like sharing Fo…
Nov. 8, 2022
E3: Juicing it, Juicing it, Juicing it well (Formulating)
Brian & Russ explore what it takes to create a compelling formulation and how to identify and work with a formulator.
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Nov. 8, 2022
E2: Wheatgrass strikes! (Ideation)
Brian & Russ talk about the lightbulb moment when it becomes clear a wheatgrass beverage is the differentiator MAKA needed. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook Making MAKA Yo…
Nov. 8, 2022
E2: Wheatgrass strikes! (Ideation)
Brian & Russ talk about the lightbulb moment when it becomes clear a wheatgrass beverage is the differentiator MAKA needed.
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Nov. 8, 2022
E1: Show me the wheatgrass! (Setting the stage)
Your hosts, Brian Hill and Russell Hirshon, introduce Making MAKA - a beverage startup's journey from launching to scaling a Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) brand. www.makingmaka.com (podcast) www.livingmaka.com (brand) Follow …
Nov. 8, 2022
E1: Show me the wheatgrass! (Setting the stage)
Your hosts, Brian Hill and Russell Hirshon, introduce Making MAKA - a beverage startup's journey from launching to scaling a Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) brand.
The player is loading ...
Oct. 31, 2022
Making MAKA: Trailer
MAKING MAKA is a behind the scenes look (or should we say listen) into our beverage startup’s journey to launching, building, scaling, and sustaining our CPG brand: MAKA. Episodes are hosted by the company’s founder, Brian H…
Oct. 31, 2022
Making MAKA: Trailer
MAKING MAKA is a behind the scenes look (or should we say listen) into our beverage startup’s journey to launching, building, scaling, and sustaining our CPG brand: MAKA. Episodes are hosted by the company’s founder, Brian H…
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