Food Business Marketing Podcast | Brand Strategy, Sales, & Growth for Food & Farm Brands

Епизоди

• 193. How the Right Dietitian Can Help More of the Right People Choose Your Food Brand 01.07.2026 24мин

  People are inundated with complicated and sometimes conflicting nutrition messages. Food brands have an opportunity to replace confusion and food fear with a boost of clarity and confidence. When you think about advisors for your food brand, a dietitian might not be the first person who comes to mind....or is it? Beyond nutrition, dietitians can bring a unique perspective that helps you better understand your customers, communicate your product's benefits more clearly, uncover new market opportunities, and reinforce key support messages.  In this episode, Katie and Clint are joined by registered dietitian and diabetes educator Whitney Stuart of Whitness Nutrition to explore how nutrition expertise can strengthen what you want your brand to be known for -- from product development and messaging to consumer trust and long-term brand growth...and more!  This conversation offers a fresh perspective on the value of choosing advisors who align with your vision but will also challenge your thinking to make your team stronger and create better connections. As Whitney shares, helping consumers move from food fear to food confidence isn't just good nutrition—it's good brand building. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why the right dietitians can be valuable strategic advisors—not just nutrition experts • How RDNs can help uncover new customer segments, product development, ingredient decisions, and growth opportunities • How to communicate nutrition benefits in a way that's credible, clear, and easy for consumers to understand...making your brand easier to choose rather than adding to the noise • Why choosing advisors whose perspectives align with your brand matters • How some dietitians can help promote your brand to the right audiences • How curating the right team can help strengthen what your brand becomes known for And one final takeaway from the episode: ....BE KIND. READ LABELS. We can use a little more of both, right? :)   Resources Mentioned Whitney's Website Whitney talking "easy swaps" on one of her TV appearances Join the newsletter here RealFoodBrands.com or Katie's Instagram And until next time, let's go shake up shopping carts! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist Clint Matthews - Host, Co-Founder at Start Right Foods, & Food Business Strategist   PS--Enjoying the podcast? If you're finding these conversations helpful, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with another food business owner. Every share helps us reach more brands that are working to make real food easier to choose.
• 192. Stewarding the Land and Building a Brand - Scaling Regenerative Agriculture with StarWalker Organic Farms 24.06.2026 46мин

  Some people are skeptical that regenerative agriculture can be scalable, but our guests are proving it can be done while they build a strong brand as well. For Jason and Christina Walker of StarWalker Organic Farms, success started with a series of everyday decisions—and a few pivotal fork-in-the-road moments that shaped everything. StarWalker Organic Farms introduced the first Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) pork and beef in the United States and is working to help more farmers transition to regenerative agriculture through a scalable, farmer-focused model. In this episode, we explore the choices, values, risks, and long-term thinking that shaped their journey from a multi-generational family farm to a growing regenerative agriculture brand with a vision that extends far beyond their own acreage. Along the way, we discuss what it means to steward the land, build a business, create a brand, and leave something better for the next generation. In this episode, you'll hear about: The family decision that led StarWalker Organic Farms down the path of organic farming decades before it became more mainstream The pivotal choices that shaped the farm's growth, from launching a direct-to-consumer business to purchasing their own USDA processing facility What it means to produce the first Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) pork and beef in the US How regenerative agriculture, soil health, and nutrient density are connected The challenges and opportunities of building a vertically integrated food business How our life experiences that seem unrelated today may actually be preparing you for what's next How the business is helping other farmers transition to regenerative agriculture without having to build a brand. Their vision to create regional networks of regenerative farms and make high-quality food more accessible locally across the country What the brand will be known for...their answer wasn't about the products they sell. Listen to hear more! Whether you're a farmer, food business owner, entrepreneur, or someone who cares about where your food comes from, this conversation is a reminder to keep grounded in our purpose every single day. Resources Mentioned StarWalker Organic Farms Join the newsletter here RealFoodBrands.com And until next week, let's go shake up shopping carts! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist Clint Matthews - Host, Co-Founder at Start Right Foods, & Food Business Strategist If you are interested in clarifying what you want your brand to be known for and making your brand easier to choose, please email me at katie@realfoodbrands.com. We'd love to hear what you are working on and see if we might be a good fit to work together...or at least share a few resources with you! 
• 191. What a Viral Post Revealed About Content Creation 17.06.2026 15мин

  This week, my simple Instagram post about Swedish Fish unexpectedly reached more than 160,000 people...and counting! Now, that might be a normal day for some people on Instagram, but it certainly wasn't for me. While it was fun to watch the views climb, not all the comments were as fun to read. Not that I took it personally, but I don't understand the need to be so negative. With that in mind, what I found most interesting were the lessons that came from the experience—not just about social media, but about our ideal audience and how we choose to show up when we get unexpected attention. In this episode, Clint interviews me about what happened, what surprised me, and what business owners can learn from finding themselves in a similar situation. In the episode, you'll hear: Why attention doesn't always equal growth The difference between reach and relevance How to respond when the internet wants you to react Why not every audience is your audience How to use the algorithm without losing your personal programming (ie values) How to find the sweet spot between your strengths and your audience's interests What a viral post can teach you about your brand, your audience, and yourself Resources Mentioned 📌 View the Instagram post here 📬 Join the Real Food Brands newsletter here And until next time, let's go shake up shopping carts. Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist Clint Matthews - Host, Co-Founder at Start Right Foods, & Food Business Strategist
• 190. Building What's Next 10.06.2026 3мин

  As we approach episode 200, we're inviting you to help shape what's next for the Food Business Marketing Podcast. We've been working to make strategy more actionable, more valuable, and...more fun. As we think about what's next for the podcast, we'd love to hear directly from you. 👉 Take the short survey here We've got some exciting ideas in the works, but before we make plans for the next chapter in the coming weeks, we want to make sure we're building something that's truly valuable for you. Thank you for being part of this community, for spending your time with us each week, and for helping us build what's next as we help YOU build what's next! - Katie & Clint PS--Make sure you're on my newsletter email list. Most weeks I'm helping you turn your ideas into action, but this week I'm asking you for your ideas to help US take action - and we appreciate every single reply. Access the survey here or sign up for the newsletter and get it in your inbox on Friday: Weekly Email Newsletter or at www.realfoodbrands.com.
• 189. Your Brand Strategy Is the Starting Line 03.06.2026 13мин

  Have you ever finished strategy work, felt excited… and then thought, "Okay, but now what?" Your brand strategy being done isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) talk about what happens after the strategy work is done and how to activate your brand so it becomes part of your everyday decisions—not just a PDF sitting on your computer. Building on recent conversations around defining your strategy, aligning your team, and creating clarity, this conversation focuses on activation: what happens next, how to avoid overwhelm, and how to keep moving forward to build momentum as you build a strong brand and business. From prioritizing what comes first to testing and learning in the market, this episode will help you think differently about what it means to bring your strategy to life. ➡️ In this episode, you'll hear: --Why strategy work often feels exciting at first—but overwhelming when it's time to implement --How to prioritize what happens next instead of trying to do everything at once --Ways to think through 30 / 60 / 120 day priorities --Why your strategy should guide agencies, partners, and vendors and not the other way around --How to test and learn without abandoning your strategy too quickly --The difference between evolving intentionally and changing direction because you got nervous or someone asked a question you couldn't answer yet --Why strategy should make decisions easier—not harder ➡️ What this means for your business: Your brand strategy should create clarity—but clarity alone doesn't create momentum. ➡️ When you activate your strategy intentionally, you can: 1) Bring more consistency to how your brand shows up 2) Make decisions with more confidence and less second-guessing 3) Create priorities that help move the business forward 4) Stay aligned while continuing to learn and optimize ➡️ What's next: Strategy isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. Whether you've documented your strategy already or you've been piecing it together as you go, activation is where strategy comes to life—and where momentum starts building. Stay tuned for more podcast episodes to help you bring your vision to life! ➡️ Continue the conversation: If this episode helped you think differently about what happens after strategy work is done, make sure you're on Katie's newsletter email list. She'll share additional thoughts, tools, and resources, including the Brand Activation Worksheet. You can get access to the newsletter and find links to everything else HERE: Weekly Email Newsletter or at www.realfoodbrands.com. ➡️ Let's Connect! Connect with Katie Mleziva on LinkedIn or ➡️ Set up an intro call if you're ready to move from strategy to action and build a brand with more clarity and confidence. 🔗 Connect on Instagram Let's go shake up shopping carts, together! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist
• 188. How to Build a Brand People Trust 27.05.2026 13мин

  What makes you trust a brand? It's usually not one big thing. It's the repeated experience of seeing a brand show up consistently over time — through the packaging, product, messaging, the customer experience, the team, and allll the little details in between. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (RealFoodBrands.com) and Clint Matthews (StartRightFoods.com) explore how trust is built through cohesive, consistent brand experiences...and why alignment inside your business matters to what customers see on the outside. As a follow-up to recent episodes related to the "define" part of Katie's Define, Align, & Activate framework, this conversation focuses on what happens next: aligning your team, partners, and day-to-day decisions around what you want your brand to be known for… then activating that strategy consistently across the business. Because strong brands reinforce the key thing they want to be known for over and over again. In this episode, you'll hear: Why consistency builds trust over time The difference between alignment and activation How cohesive brand experiences create recognition Why repeated touchpoints shape brand perception The role team members and partners play in your brand How familiarity influences buying decisions Why strong brands feel intentional The connection between trust and customer experience Key Takeaway People trust brands that feel clear, cohesive, and consistent. And that doesn't happen accidentally! We can be intentional about how that happens when your business is aligned around what you want to be known for and reinforces it through repeated experiences over time. Links & Resources: • 📧 Weekly Email Newsletter • 🔗 Connect on Instagram If this episode gave you a new way to think about building your business, please share it with another food business owner who is working to build a brand that makes a positive impact. Let's go shake up shopping carts, together!
• 187. What Do You Want Your Brand to Be Known For? 20.05.2026 14мин

  If your brand is trying to communicate everything, people may remember nothing. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (realfoodbrands.com) and Clint Matthews (startrightfoods.com) talk about the power of focus — and why strong brands know what they want to be known for instead of trying to say everything to everyone. Building on recent episodes about purpose, vision, values, and listening to your consumers and competitors to inform your market success, this conversation explores how focus helps create clarity across your products, messaging, packaging, marketing, customer experience... everything you do! Katie also connects the conversation to positioning and brand pillars, explaining how they help guide decisions, reinforce consistency, and keep brands from getting pulled in too many directions. In this episode, you'll hear: Why clarity is the result of focus How trying to communicate too many things can create confusion Why consistency helps brands become more memorable How positioning and pillars help guide decision-making Why focus is meant to create freedom, not limit creativity Plus, Clint shares how Start Right Foods gained traction after narrowing their focus and aligning around what they wanted to be known for in the market. If you want additional insights and practical ways to turn your ideas into action, make sure you're signed up for Katie's newsletter (see below). Links & Resources: • 📧 Weekly Email Newsletter • 🔗 Connect on Instagram   🎙️Episodes mentioned --> 101. Brand Strategy 101: Positioning Your Brand to Stand Out --> 165. Brand Pillars: The Backbone of Your Brand That Makes a Major Impact   If this episode gave you a new way to think about building your business, please share it with another food business owner who is working to build a brand that makes a positive impact so we can shake up shopping carts, together! Katie Mleziva  Food Brand Strategist
• 186. Make Your Brand Easier to Choose: The Cheesecake Factory Factor 13.05.2026 17мин

  Too many choices (or unclear choices) can create friction for people to make a decision. So, the brands that win are often the ones that make decisions feel easier. Sometimes being clear and easy to choose means knowing what to say… and what NOT to say. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (RealFoodBrands.com) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) unpack the concept of decision fatigue and how it impacts things like shopper behavior, packaging, product assortments, and buying decisions. You'll hear: • Why more choices, words, and icons are not always better • The Cheesecake Factory "decision overload" example • How shoppers make different decisions throughout a shopping trip • Why packaging has to work so hard...even after popping on the shelf • If Clint or Katie could better handle judging 25 cheesecakes in a contest without decision fatigue setting in • The importance of communication hierarchy • The famous "jam study" and what it tells us about consumer behavior • How products move from shelf → cart → pantry/fridge/freezer → repeat • A course Katie is taking through Texas A&M called Advanced Behavioral Economics -- she's loving it!  Katie also shares details about her free live Brand Strategy Q&A happening May 20, 2026.    Links & Resources: • 🗓️ Sign up for the free Brand Strategy Q&A • 📧 Weekly Email Newsletter • 🔗 Connect on Instagram • 🎙️Episodes mentioned --4Ps of Sales Series Spotify Playlist --Ep 114. Intentional Marketing: Getting ON the shelf, IN the cart, and OUT of the pantry/fridge/freezer • When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing? (aka "The Jam Study") If this episode gave you a new way to think about shopper behavior, packaging, or brand clarity, please share it with another food business owner who is working to build a brand that makes a positive impact. Let's go shake up shopping carts! 
• 185. Listening to Understand Your Market & Guide Your Food Brand 06.05.2026 18мин

  You might be a good listener, but are you a strategic listener? In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) explore how to use listening as a strategic tool—not to collect more ideas, but to gain clarity and guide your brand decisions as you optimize and grow. Building on recent episodes about defining your version of success and clarifying your purpose, vision, and values, this conversation shifts outward—focusing on how to better understand your market through what you're already hearing and also where to listen more intentionally. From buyer conversations to consumer feedback to observing the competitive landscape, this episode will help you think differently about where insight can come from and how to use it. In this episode, you'll hear: Why listening is about understanding and making decisions, not just collecting opinions or adding to your idea list How buyer conversations can reveal what's happening in your category Ways to "listen" to consumers beyond direct conversations What you can learn from competitors—without copying them The difference between one-off feedback and meaningful patterns How to use what you're hearing to guide your brand as you grow What this means for your business: As you're working to build clarity in your brand, listening becomes a way to proactively understand your market—not just react to it. When you start paying attention to patterns, language, and real-world feedback, you can: Refine how you show up as the brand you want to build Spot some opportunities you might have missed Move forward with more direction and confidence What's next: Once you begin to understand your market more deeply, you can start to define what you want your brand to be known for—and how to consistently bring that to life. Continue the conversation: If you want a simple way to capture what stands out and turn ideas into action, make sure you're on Katie's newsletter email list. She'll share a quick recap in writing and help you apply what you hear on Ep 185, and every episode! You can get access to the newsletter and find links to everything else at www.realfoodbrands.com. Let's Connect! Connect with Katie Mleziva on LinkedIn or ➡️ Set up an intro call here if you're ready to talk about prioritizing your ideas as you work to build a strong brand. Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist
• 184. What Is YOUR Version of Success in Your Food Business? 29.04.2026 14мин

  What does success actually look like for you—and are you building your food business around it? If you haven't clearly defined your own version of success, it's easy to end up chasing someone else's without even realizing it. For the first part of our lives, success is defined for us—the next milestone, the next step. Good grades, good performances. But as business owners, that structure disappears… and we're left to figure it out on our own. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) unpack how making sure you're defining your own version of success will impact how you make decisions. They also share how their own definitions of success have evolved over time—and how those definitions directly shape the decisions they make in their businesses today. Because success isn't one-size-fits-all. But when it's undefined, it leads to comparison, second-guessing, and misalignment. And when it's clear? Your brand, your strategy, and your decisions start to fall into place. In This Episode, We Cover: Why success feels clearly defined when we're younger—and why that changes as a business owner How your definition of success influences your daily decisions Real examples of how evolving priorities shift business direction The difference between building a business that looks successful vs one that actually fits your life Why defining success is the foundation for a clear, aligned brand Katie's recommendation on where to start Key Takeaway: If you don't define success for yourself, you'll default to someone else's definition, and that's where misalignment starts. What's Next: If you're ready to define YOUR version of success and start building a brand around it, Katie put together a simple way to get started with your purpose, vision, and values. 👉 Join Katie's weekly newsletter list to get access here. Every week Katie walks you through putting these insights and your ideas into action...becuase you don't need more ideas, you need to prioritize them based on your goals so you can make more confident decisions in your business. Note: if you're listening after 5/1/26, just send Katie an email katie@realfoodbrands.com, and she'll share the newsletter issue with you.
• 183. Is Luck Random or About Being Ready? 22.04.2026 14мин

  How preparedness, alignment, awareness, and resilience lead to luck. It's easy to look at other brands and assume they just got lucky. They met the right person. They were in the right place. They caught the right opportunity. But when you take a closer look, that's usually not the full story. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) talk through why two businesses can have similar opportunities but very different outcomes. This isn't about pure luck; it's about how prepared, focused, and aligned you are when those opportunities show up. In this episode, you'll hear: Why luck is often a reflection of preparation and past experience Why CLARITY and ALIGNMENT help you recognize and act on opportunities faster How setbacks actually build readiness for future opportunities The role of curiosity, relationships, and follow-through in creating momentum Why "the greatest thing since sliced bread" didn't happen overnight. 💡 Key takeaway: Opportunities happen—but what happens after that isn't random. When your brand is clear and aligned, it helps you recognize the right opportunities and people, make better decisions, and follow through in a way that ultimately leads to growth. 🗣️ Continue the conversation Follow along on Instagram and let us know —> Do you think of success in business as luck, preparation, or something else? 📝 Apply What You Heard - Get the Newsletter If you want to work on building a brand that's clear, aligned, and adds value across your business, join Katie's weekly newsletter list at RealFoodBrands.com. Each week, you'll get a short, strategic reflection to help you think more clearly and take aligned action as you grow.
• 182. Your Brand Adds Value Across Your Business (Not Just Marketing) 15.04.2026 13мин

  Most food business owners think of their brand as a marketing tool, but what if it's actually one of your most valuable business assets? IT IS! In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) shares highlights from a recent training she gave for the Food Finance Institute's GROW series, where she explored how brand strategy impacts how effectively your business runs on a day-to-day basis. When your brand is clear and aligned, it doesn't just help you grow—it helps you operate more efficiently, make better decisions, and build a more valuable business over time. 🎧 In this episode, you'll hear: Three elements that help you build a valuable brand How a clear brand reduces price sensitivity and builds customer loyalty How a strong brand improves decision-making across your business Where brands lose time and money through rework, revisions, and lack of alignment Why your brand strategy is a margin driver—not just a marketing expense Stay tuned for more brand-building episodes each Wednesday! 📩 Want to keep going? If you want support working through your brand strategy, Katie offers 1:1 workshops, 6-week coaching, and a more in-depth Brand Success System to help you define, align, and activate your brand in a way that actually drives your business forward. ➡️ Set up an intro call here if you're ready to talk about your vision.   Let's Connect!  1) Connect with Katie Mleziva on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE 3) Follow along on Instagram for more – @realfoodbrands Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist
• 181. Build a Brand That Adapts While Staying True to Its Core - Kasondra Shippen Flax 4 Life 15.04.2026 21мин

  Flax 4 Life is a 25-year-old brand that has adapted to changing consumer needs and market realities, while staying grounded in the core of what the brand stands for...and I'm slightly obsessed with their blueberry flax muffins! ➡️➡️➡️ This episode is part of a 3-part series on examples of what it looks like to build a strong brand. Check out Ep 179 and 180 in the series after you listen to this. In this episode, I'm joined by Kasandra Shippen, CEO of Flax 4 Life—a national family-built brand rooted in multi-generational baking and a deep commitment to better-for-you products. Fun Fact: They were one of the first certified gluten-free companies in the US! We talk about how Flax 4 Life has adapted over time—responding to family health needs, evolving consumer expectations, and even market shifts like rising egg prices—while staying true to what made the brand work in the first place. This is a fantastic example of what it looks like to lead a brand over time: not by completely reinventing it, but by adapting with intention and innovation. Key Takeaway A strong brand gives you the clarity to adapt. When you know what you stand for, you can evolve your products, respond to change, and make new decisions without losing your direction. What You'll Hear How family health challenges helped shape the foundation of Flax 4 Life Why they've always focused on nutrition and flavor—not just "free-from" positioning How rising egg prices + consumer needs led to a new allergen-friendly innovation partnering with Plantible The role of new ingredients in adapting their product line How to evolve your products without losing your brand foundation Why education and communication remain ongoing challenges Walmart's Open Call experience What's Next This episode wraps up our 3-part series on building strong brands. If you haven't listened yet: Listen to this first - Episode 181 Go back to Episode 179: Build a Brand That Grows With the People You Serve Then listen to Episode 180: Build a Brand That Solves a Real Need Together, these three episodes walk through how to build a brand that grows, solves real problems, and adapts over time—while staying grounded in what matters most. ...Stay tuned for more brand-building episodes each Wednesday! 🤝 Share with a fellow food business owner If this episode sparked an idea or helped you see something differently, share it with someone else who's working to grow their brand. 🌟 Rate and Review—we might give you a shoutout! And if you haven't already, a review goes a long way in helping more people find the podcast. We appreciate it and may give you a shoutout! Likewise, if you have any ideas to optimize the podcast, please email us directly at Katie@realfoodbrands.com. LET'S CONNECT! Listening is helpful, but doing is even better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Follow along on Instagram for more – @realfoodbrands 4) Check out Flax 4 Life! Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist
• 180. Build a Brand That Solves a Real Need - with Jon Romanow of Let'z Go! 14.04.2026 23мин

  Most strong brands don't start with random ideas—they start with understanding a real need. ➡️➡️➡️ This is episode 2 of 3 in our Expo West follow-up series. We're releasing a new episode each day—so check back tomorrow! Strong brands are built from insight—sometimes insight that comes from lived experience and a deep understanding of what's actually missing in the market. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) talk with Jon Romanow, founder of Letz Go! Nutrition, about how the intersection of his personal health journey and professional experience in the category led to a brand that's gaining traction quickly. And not because of luck, but because it's rooted in a real need and clearly positioned to meet it. This isn't just another founder story, it's an unfolding example of brand strategy in action - a work in progress as Jon shares what has happened since launch as they translate insight into action. As you listen, you can think about how you can do the same in your business. What you'll hear: Why the best brand strategies start with insight—not just an idea How lived experience can uncover opportunities and nuances others may miss The difference between creating a product and solving a real need Why packaging format, accessibility, and pricing are part of brand strategy—not only product taste How clear positioning leads to traction without relying on a heavy marketing spend early on What it looks like to turn insight into action as you build your brand Key Takeaway: Strong brands start with understanding. When you deeply understand a real need—often one you've experienced yourself even though the brand is about more than you—you're able to build a brand that feels clear, relevant, and aligned from the start. That clarity should show up in your positioning, your product decisions, your pricing, and how your brand connects with customers. That's not luck...it's putting insight into action. What's Next: Take a step back and look at your own brand through this lens. --Where have you experienced the problem you're trying to solve? --And where might you be overlooking insights because they feel "normal" to you? The more clearly you can connect your experience to a real need in the market, the easier it becomes to make aligned decisions—and build a brand that actually works. Listen to yesterday's episode with Betsy Frost, CEO of Q Mixers, and stay tuned for the third episode in this 3-part series releasing tomorrow with Kasandra Shippen, CEO of Flax 4 Life. 🤝 Share with a fellow food business owner If this episode sparked an idea or helped you see something differently, share it with someone else who's working to grow their brand. 🌟 Rate and Review--we might give you a shoutout! And if you haven't already, a review goes a long way in helping more people find the podcast. We appreciate it and may give you a shoutout! Likewise, if you have any ideas to optimize the podcast, please email us directly at Katie@realfoodbrands.com. LET'S CONNECT! Listening is helpful, but doing is even better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Follow along on Instagram for more - @realfoodbrands 4) Check out Letz Go! Nutrition Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva Host & Food Brand Strategist Real Food Brands
• 179. Build a Brand That Grows With the People You Serve 10.04.2026 20мин

  What happens when you question why something can't be better? When the brand is built to serve that need, you have a true north. Then decisions -  from brand partnerships to line extensions - become clearer and more effective even as the market evolves. ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ This episode is the first in our next 3-part series following up on connections Katie made through Expo West. We'll be releasing a new episode each day over the next three days. Hosts Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) & Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) are joined by Betsy Frost, CEO of Q Mixers, to explore how brand strategy helps a national brand stay relevant as the people they serve—and the market around them—continue to change. From shifting drinking behaviors to identifying a gap in the market, Q Refreshers is a clear example of how brands can evolve to meet changing needs without losing what makes them work. This conversation brings strategy out of theory and into action. You'll hear how Betsy's background—from purpose-driven organizations to big CPG—shapes how she leads today, and how staying rooted in your brand while evolving alongside the people you serve is what allows brands to grow with clarity and consistency. In this episode, you'll hear: How a strong brand acts as a true north for decision-making and collaborations Why the best innovation starts with the intersection of insight and white space What it really means to stay relevant as people's behaviors and expectations evolve How a content-first mindset can shift the way you think about building your brand What it looks like to evolve your brand without losing what makes it stand out in the first place How to think about line extensions through a brand strategy lens Why more isn't always better—and how to stay focused How expanding use occasions can drive meaningful growth Key Takeaway Brand strategy isn't just something you define once and move on—it then serves as a guide for how you make decisions. As your business grows, the strongest brands are the ones that stay rooted in what makes them stand out while evolving with intention so they continue to stay relevant as the people they serve change—how they shop, what they value, and how they use the product. What's Next Stay tuned for our next episode, airing tomorrow with Jon Romanow, founder of Letz Go! Nutrition, to hear how he took his personal health challenges, professional experience, and market needs to create a fast-growing stick packet hydration and energy company that the whole family can enjoy. 🤝 Share with a fellow food business owner If this episode sparked an idea or helped you see something differently, share it with someone else who's working to grow their brand. 🌟 Rate and Review—we might give you a shoutout! And if you haven't already, a review goes a long way in helping more people find the podcast. We appreciate it and may give you a shoutout! Likewise, if you have any ideas to optimize the podcast, please email us directly at Katie@realfoodbrands.com.   LET'S CONNECT! Listening is helpful, but doing is even better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Follow along on Instagram for more – @realfoodbrands 4) Check Out Q Mixers!  Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva – Host & Food Brand Strategist
• 178. Is Your Brand Strong Enough to Stand Out? 01.04.2026 9мин

  You can have a brand that looks great and tastes great...and still feel like something isn't clicking. Whether in-store or online, people only give you a few seconds to win them over. That means people need to be able to know what it is, why it's different, who it's for, and decide "what's in it for me?" in just a few seconds.  In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) breaks down common stages of brand development evolution...from having a brand name and logo, to more surface-level branding, and then deeper insight-based brand strategy that is meaningful and memorable both to you as the founder and to your ideal audience and stakeholders. Katie shares how to build a well-integrated brand that goes beyond taste & quality. In this episode, you'll hear: The difference between a brand that looks good and one that is built on strong strategic foundations Why focusing only on product features or even a great design isn't enough to differentiate your brand long-term How most brands naturally evolve—and what it looks like to move to the next level How your perspective as a founder or business owner shapes your brand's differentiation, even though your brand is not just about you The role of your audience, competitors, and market gaps in building a strong strategy (not just your brand's origin story) How brand strategy becomes the foundation for everything you do Why a clear strategy helps designers, marketers, and partners do better work for your brand Where to start with Katie's 1:1 Brand Strategy Workshop 🎧 Listen to the Brand Pillars Episode Katie recommended here Key takeaway: A strong brand isn't just that something looks or tastes good—it's built on a strategy that clearly sets your business apart and creates loyal fans. Katie has streamlined tools big brands use for more entrepreneurial brands. Work with Katie: If you're ready to go deeper on your brand strategy, Katie offers a guided 1:1 Workshop experience to help you clarify your purpose, positioning, people, pillars, and more. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine what you've already built, this is a smart next step to help you stand out against bigger brands. 🤝 Share with a fellow food business owner If this episode sparked an idea or helped you see something differently, share it with someone else who's working to grow their brand. Your reviews help more people find the podcast as well, thank you! LET'S CONNECT! Listening is helpful, but doing is even better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Strategy Sheet PDF for this episode. Joining the email list gives you access to book a single 1:1 Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Follow along on Instagram for more - @realfoodbrands Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva Host & Food Brand Strategist Real Food Brands
• 177. Three Emerging Brands Shaking Up Shopping Carts 25.03.2026 50мин

  What does it look like to start and grow a CPG brand in real time? In this first episode in the "Expo West Conversation Compilation Series", Katie and Clint share three conversations with founders Katie connected with through the show—each at a slightly different stage with a different approach, but all working to build something that stands out. This interview series highlights Founders and CEOs who saw an issue or opportunity and decided to go for it. Their stories are still being written as they make decisions around product, positioning, marketing, distribution, growth opportunities, and more. 🎧 In this episode, you'll hear: How one founder is bringing a family recipe to life with a modern twist—and validating it through real-time feedback. The role of personal pain points in creating differentiated products. What early-stage brands are learning through sampling, demos, and direct customer interaction. How founders are using organic marketing and community-building instead of paid growth. The transition from local traction to seeking broader retail opportunities. Why past experiences can become a competitive advantage. These founders' favorite tips that were shared with them. ...and many ideas you can apply to your brand. Stay tuned for future episodes in this series. 🛒 Featured brands: 🍅 Noodo Tomato sauces made from a traditional Italian family recipe—without the skins! Plus, a modern twist using bone broth for added nutrition. With founder Liana Krasnow. 🔗 eatnoodo.com ☀️ Cove Suncare Sunscreen designed for sensitive skin, combining skincare ingredients with sun protection—without the "whitecast" look. Built from a personal need. With Founder Danvi Gill. 🔗 covesuncare.com 🌶️ Spicekick Clean, all-in-one seasoning packets designed to simplify cooking with real ingredients and bold flavor. With Founder (plus dietitian, chef, & cookbook author!) Michelle Dudash. 🔗 spicekick.com and michelledudash.com (for cookbooks, recipes & more!) ---------------------------------------------- 💡 Want to go deeper? If you're working to build a brand that stands out, join Katie's email list at: 👉 https://realfoodbrands.com Each week, you'll get: a short strategic reflection that goes beyond the podcast upcoming events or learning opportunities and a worksheet to help you take aligned action Over time, these build into your own brand strategy playbook. 🤝 Share with a fellow food business owner If this episode sparked an idea or helped you see something differently, share it with someone else who's working to grow their brand. And if you haven't already, a review goes a long way in helping more people find the podcast. We appreciate it and may give you a shoutout! Likewise, if you have any ideas to optimize the podcast, please email us directly at Katie@realfoodbrands.com.   LET'S CONNECT! Listening is helpful, but doing is even better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE  Joining the email list gives you access to book single 1 hr Brand Strategy Sessions! 3) Follow along on Instagram for more - @realfoodbrands Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva Host & Food Brand Strategist Real Food Brands
• 176. Build Your Inner Edge to Deliver When It Matters Most with Chad McGehee 18.03.2026 43мин

  This conversation isn't just about being "calm"—it's about training yourself to deliver when it matters most...a true business advantage!  In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) & Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) are joined by Chad McGehee, Director of Meditation Training for University of Wisconsin Athletics and co-founder of Inner Edge Meditation. Chad has worked with elite pro and college athletes, FBI SWAT teams, and Fortune 500 business leaders to help them develop the mental skills needed to perform in high-pressure environments. This conversation isn't about being zen, or calm for the sake of calm. It's about building the kind of focus, resilience, and awareness that allows you to navigate the hard moments... and be fully present for the good ones. We talk about what it looks like to treat your mind like strength and conditioning—something you train consistently so you can rely on it when it matters most. If you've ever felt reactive, overwhelmed, or like you're not showing up the way you want to in key moments, this episode will give you a new way to think about how to build that edge—intentionally and over time. We hope you will enjoy and SHARE it with a friend, colleague, athlete...anyone! Everyone can benefit from the training skills Chad shares here. In this episode, we cover: The concept of your "inner edge" and how it creates a real advantage in business Why mental performance training is as important as any type of business acumen you work to build The role of attention and awareness in high-pressure situations How to use your body as a signal (and not believe every story your mind tells) Building stronger teams (business, sports, etc. through presence, connection, and grounded confidence What it means to embody your purpose in your day-to-day work How small, consistent practices create momentum over time Shifting from a reactive to a proactive mindset & leadership A few good stories...as always! Key Takeaway: We can be proactive and train ourselves to have focus, poise, and resilience in high-pressure situations. Here's how to get started! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you're on Katie's weekly email newsletter HERE. Subscribers receive exclusive worksheets and tools designed to help business owners apply these ideas to their own brands. LEARN MORE: --> Learn More about Chad's research, resources, retreat info, and how to hire him for a keynote or workshop InnerEdgeMeditation.com Coming Up Next Week Interviews with the brands Katie met will be coming soon. If you're one of them...she'll be reaching out with the scheduling link if she hasn't already! LET'S CONNECT! Listening is helpful, but building is better... 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva, Clint Matthews and Chad McGehee on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Follow along on Instagram for more - @realfoodbrands Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva Host & Food Brand Strategist Real Food Brands
• Expo West Takeaways Through a Brand Strategy Lens (Ep 175) 11.03.2026 23мин

  Most people are talking about products...we're talking about building brands that stand out! Expo West is known for trend spotting—new ingredients, bold flavors, celebrity-backed brands, and the latest functional claims. But in this episode, Clint interviews Katie to get her hot take on the show. But instead of recapping what's "hot" with products, Katie shares what she observed walking the show floor through her unique brand strategy lens. From booth presence and meaningful conversations (two people cried to Katie during the show, and it was beautifully real!) to packaging choices and execution, Katie highlights the patterns that reveal how brands truly connect with customers—and where some are missing the mark. Along the way, she shares observations about intentional conversations, effective booth engagement, industry collaboration, and the realities of what "natural" means across a very wide spectrum of brands. If you've ever wondered what other people notice at a show like Expo West, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes perspective. In This Episode • Why meaningful conversations matter more than trying to "cover the whole show floor" • What great booth engagement looks like—and why a "smile + a sample" wins • How interactive elements can draw people in when they fit the brand • The difference between gimmicky marketing and authentic brand presence • Why strong signage balances product features with real consumer benefits • Observations about packaging choices and how products show up back in the store • What Expo West reveals about the broad spectrum of "natural" positioning • A look at industry collaboration through networks and communities • Reflections on a few trends Katie noticed • A reminder that behind every booth interaction is a real human moment Key Takeaway Expo West isn't just a showcase of new products—it's a real-time look at how brands show up, connect, and communicate their purpose. When you walk the floor with a brand strategy lens, the most valuable insights often aren't the trends themselves, but how brands bring their story to life. --> If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you're on Katie's email list. Subscribers receive exclusive worksheets and tools designed to help business owners apply these ideas to their own brands. Coming Next 1) Interviews with the brands Katie met will be coming soon. If you're one of them...she'll be reaching out with the scheduling link! 2) We have an exciting episode coming with Chad McGehee, meditation and mindfulness coach for high-performance careers and athletes. Chad is the first D1 meditation coach -- kudos to the University of Wisconsin athletics for investing in the mental game! We'll be talking about ways you can gain an inner edge (a true competitive advantage) through practice. WANT TO GO DEEPER? Listening is helpful, but building is better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Grab your seat at the Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable - a free community for food business owners. Let us know if you are navigating an unexpected situation. Maybe someone in the group has been there. 4) Follow along on Instagram for more - @realfoodbrands Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva Host & Food Brand Strategist Real Food Brands
• 174. Knowing What to Say in Conversations At Food Industry Events 03.03.2026 16мин

  Whether you're walking the floor or standing behind a booth, the brands that get the most out of trade shows aren't always the ones having the most conversations — they're the ones making the right conversations count. With Expo West underway, Katie and Clint share practical, strategic ways food business owners can show up prepared (not scripted), confident, and intentional in every interaction. With a bit of prep, you'll be ready to talk about any area of your business to help close a deal, make a new connection, or get people rallied behind your vision. Not to mention the "softer" skills that help progress relationships. In This Episode: How to think strategically about what you want to get out of an event The difference between memorable and meaningful conversations (story time with Clint!) Why preparation means being ready, not robotic...unless that's how you always talk...we want you to be yourself! How to talk about sales, operations, and growth needs without "airing your dirty laundry" The importance of energy, body language, and eye contact How to set clear next steps so momentum doesn't fade after the event Key Takeaway You can't always control who you'll meet unless you set up meetings ahead of time, but you can control how ready you are when opportunity presents itself. Whether you're behind a booth or at an event, a little intentional thinking can turn casual small talk into strategic momentum for your business. Coming Next Katie is at Expo West conducting rapid-fire interviews with up-and-coming brands — especially earlier-stage companies with strong brand stories, regenerative practices, farm roots, or purpose-driven missions. Stay tuned to hear from brands you may not be familiar with yet — and if that sounds like you, reach out. She'd love to connect and help spotlight the brand you're building. WANT TO GO DEEPER? Listening is helpful, but building is better! 1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn. 2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well! 3) Grab your seat at the Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable - a free community for food business owners. Let us know if you are navigating an unexpected situation. Maybe someone in the group has been there. Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts! Katie Mleziva Host & Food Brand Strategist Real Food Brands