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Food Business Marketing Podcast | Brand Strategy, Sales, & Growth for Food & Farm Brands
Food Business Marketing Podcast | Brand Strategy, Sales, & Growth for Food & Farm Brands
The Food Business Marketing Podcast helps food business owners and farmers build stronger brands, make better decisions, and grow businesses that are easier to choose. Hosted by Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva and co-hosted by food entrepreneur and sales leader Clint Matthews, each episode explores real-world decisions that shape successful food and farm businesses. Topics include food brand strategy, brand positioning, food marketing, consumer insights, product portfolio decisions, food business growth, farm marketing, and sales strategy. The podcast provides practical insights for launching new products, refining brand positioning, rebranding, prioritizing growth opportunities, improving marketing, and developing sales strategies.
Episodes
208. Should I Launch Another Product?
Have an idea for a new flavor, size, or product line? Bringing something new to market can be exciting, especially when creating great products is one of the reasons you started your food business in the first place. But is launching another product the right next move for your business right now? In this episode, Clint and I explore how we'd approach that question if you brought it to us as a foo
207. How Your Financials Can Help Avoid Expensive Mistakes as Your Food Business Grows | with Abby June Richards, The CPG CFO
As your food business grows, the decisions get bigger too. You might be adding a retailer, investing in equipment, hiring someone, launching a new product...or all of the above! And as you know, any mistakes can get more expensive as the stakes get higher. The good news is that your financials aren't just there to tell you what already happened. They can help you look ahead, pressure-test decision
206. Leadership & Team Alignment: Are You Setting the Standard? (9 of 9)
You can have a great product, a clear vision, and a solid strategy, but at some point, we all need other people to help bring our vision to life. That's why we're wrapping up our Business Maintenance Check series with leadership and team. And when we say "team," we don't just mean employees. Your team may include contractors, designers, advisors, agencies, or anyone else helping you make decisions
205. Customer Experience Alignment: Are You Being Intentional at Every Touchpoint? (8 of 9)
Customer experience isn't just what happens when someone buys your product. It's every interaction someone has with your brand, from the first time they discover your brand through using your product, buying it again, and hopefully telling someone else about it. And depending on where you sell, you won't control ALL of the interactions. A DTC brand has different opportunities than a brand selling
204. Operations Alignment: Will Your Growth Goals Require Changes? (7 of 9)
>>> Get your Brand Checkup Scorecard HERE! Having growth goals is one thing...and then being able to produce your product, move it where it needs to go, and keep up with demand is another. In this episode of our Business Maintenance Check series, Clint and I look at the operations side of your food business and why what works today may not continue to be the right fit as your business grows. You'l
203. Social Media That Works for Your Food Brand...and for YOU
Whether you love being on camera or would rather stay behind the scenes, there are ways to show up on social that feel true to your brand and to YOU! Before you ask what you should post, there's a bigger question to answer: What do you need social media to do for your brand and your business? In this episode, Katie and Clint talk with Anna Brekken, founder of Picnic Studio and a social media manag
202. Product Mix Alignment: Is Every Product Earning Its Place? (6 of 9)
Adding a new product can feel like growth. But over time, new flavors, sizes, seasonal products, customer requests, and retail opportunities can quietly add A LOT of complexity to your business. That doesn't mean you need to start cutting SKUs or events. Reassessing your mix could lead to adding a SKU or event if there's a gap...although typically we're looking at reducing or right-sizing. It's wo
201. Sales & Distribution Alignment: Are You Focused on the Right Things at the Right Time? (5 of 9)
More sales sounds like a good thing, but we know that's not always true. With so many ways to sell and distribute your product, it's important to know which channels to focus on to help you meet your specific business goals—and how to crack the code within those channels. In this episode, we (Katie Mleziva & Clint Matthews) continue our Food Business Maintenance Check by looking at a few key thing
200. Katie & Clint's Picks from 200 Episodes 🎉
There are 200 episodes just waiting to help you build your business! 🎉 So where do you start listening? Or, if you've been listening for a while, what might be worth revisiting with a new perspective that some time and experience have given you? In this episode, Clint and I went back through the archives and pulled out 5 episodes we think are especially worth a listen. Our picks cover brand strate
199. Marketing Alignment: Are Your Efforts Adding Up to a Bigger Picture? (4 of 9)
Do you feel like all of your marketing efforts are adding up to something bigger, or more like a collection of tactics? Your marketing should support your business goals and bring your strategy to life in a cohesive, consistent way that makes your brand easier to choose. In this episode, we (Katie Mleziva & Clint Matthews) talk about why effective marketing starts before you decide what to post, w
198. Financial Alignment: Are Your Numbers Helping You Make Better Decisions? Business Maintenance Series (3of 9)
Food & farm business financials aren't just about accounting—they're one of the most valuable tools for making informed business decisions. In Part 2 of our 8-part Business Maintenance series, we (Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews) explore why financial clarity is essential for food business owners, farmers, and CPG brands working to grow with confidence. Whether you're launching your first product
197. Brand Alignment: What Do You Want Your Business to Be Known For? (2 of 9)
Your brand isn't built by one great product, pitch, or marketing campaign; it's built by planting a clear idea and reinforcing it through every business decision you make. That's why Brand Clarity is the first stop in our Food Business Maintenance Series. In this episode, food & farm business strategists Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews explore why getting clear on what you want your business to b
196. Business Maintenance Check: 8 Areas to Review & Align (1 of 9)
Your business doesn't have a check engine light. There usually isn't one clear signal that tells you your marketing, operations, finances, or your product mix have drifted out of alignment. Instead, small issues build over time until you feel scattered, and they begin affecting growth. That's why stepping back to periodically review your business isn't just helpful—it's part of building a stronger
195. The 5 Hidden Product Gaps That Stop Food Businesses From Scaling - featuring food scientist Jacinta Kemboi
You can't build a strong food brand without a great product—but a great product alone isn't enough to build a business that can scale. 💡 Before your product can become the foundation of a strong brand, it has to be ready for growth. In this episode, Katie and Clint sit down with food scientist Jacinta Kemboi, founder of Cama Research & Development, to discuss the 5 Hidden Gaps she sees preventing
194. Your Brand Is the Bridge...How Brand Strategy Can Align Your Whole Business
When sales, marketing, and operations don't seem to be on the same page, it's tempting to look for a tactical fix. But more often than not, the real opportunity isn't better tactics—it's better alignment. In this episode, Katie and Clint explore why your brand is the bridge that connects your entire business. A clear brand strategy doesn't just shape your marketing. It helps align leadership, sale
193. How the Right Dietitian Can Help More People Choose Your Food Brand - featuring Whitney Stuart, RDN
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 und
192. Stewarding the Land and Building a Brand - Scaling Regenerative Agriculture with StarWalker Organic Farms
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 Organi
191. What a Viral Post Revealed About Content Creation
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, wha
190. Building What's Next
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 chapte
189. Your Brand Strategy Is the Starting Line
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
188. How to Build a Brand People Trust
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, c
187. What Do You Want Your Brand to Be Known For?
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 consume
186. Make Your Brand Easier to Choose: The Cheesecake Factory Factor
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 impac
185. Listening to Understand Your Market & Guide Your Food Brand
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
184. What Is YOUR Version of Success in Your Food Business?
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 disappear
183. Is Luck Random or About Being Ready?
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
182. Your Brand Adds Value Across Your Business (Not Just Marketing)
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 y
181. Build a Brand That Adapts While Staying True to Its Core - Kasondra Shippen Flax 4 Life
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. I
180. Build a Brand That Solves a Real Need - with Jon Romanow of Let'z Go!
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 Ml
179. Build a Brand That Grows With the People You Serve
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
178. Is Your Brand Strong Enough to Stand Out?
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 s
177. Three Emerging Brands Shaking Up Shopping Carts
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
176. Build Your Inner Edge to Deliver When It Matters Most with Chad McGehee
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
Expo West Takeaways Through a Brand Strategy Lens (Ep 175)
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 f
174. Knowing What to Say in Conversations At Food Industry Events
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. W
173. Leading Through Unexpected Change in Your Food Business
Unexpected change is actually expected at some point, right? And with a strong strategy in place, you can lean into your leadership role to stay on course - or get on an even better course if the right opportunity presents itself. A few real-life examples from the podcast community roundtable: A cease and desist letter arrives out of the blue. An approved ingredient is suddenly out of stock. A bu
172. How Operations Can Be a Competitive Advantage with Kyle Rood of Start Right Foods
Operations is a key part of building your brand. It's how you deliver consistently. And consistency builds trust — with consumers, retailers, distributors, and partners. In fact, Operations can become a true competitive advantage! In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) sit down with Kyle Rood, co-founder of Start Right Foods, to explore why operati
171. Has Growth Created A Blind Spot in Your Food Business?
As your business grows and evolves, success can quietly create blind spots. Processes that once worked just fine may no longer fit the size or complexity of the business. Places where processes are missing can become hidden constraints. Decisions live in people's heads, and teams keep doing things a certain way simply because that's how they've always been done. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Rea
170. Gaining Traction? Test & Learn As You Level Up Your Food Business
Real-world examples of testing, learning, and evolving your brand as you create smart growth plans. Moving to the next level, e.g. from farmers markets into retail or expanding into a new channel, can bring up a lot of questions. Does my brand stand out when I'm not there to explain in person? What change needs to happen first? Can I afford to grow? Can I afford not to grow? What questions do I no
169. Can you say yes to help? How the right help can lead us to our goals
As entrepreneurs many of us are quick to offer help—but far slower to ask for it. Can you relate? But offering - and asking for - help in the right way can be a sign of strong leadership. Why not ask people who have been there or have the right tools to help us unlock the next level of success we're working towards? In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthew's (Start Right
168. What is a Brand Strategist, Anyway? Plus, Marketing vs Branding vs Brand Strategy
Clint puts Katie in the hot seat and asks the questions many food business owners are thinking but don't want to ask. Together, they break down what brand strategy really means, why it's often misunderstood, and how it helps food business owners make clearer, more confident decisions as they grow. Clint also shares a simple but powerful real-world example that shows how positioning can change per
167. Be the Go-To Food Choice—From Transaction to Tradition
How food brands earn a place in everyday routines, go-to gifting, and meaningful traditions. Working in the food industry, a lot of us tend to think the grocery store doubles as a source of entertainment, right?! But believe it or not, many people shop on autopilot so they can get in and out as fast as possible. And while that can be a challenge when you're working to disrupt a category, it's also
166. Food Business Financials — Profit, Margins and Cash Flow...OH MY! - A Mini Masterclass with Sarah Delevan
We're talking margins, growth scenarios, and building the food business you actually want to lead. This episode is like a mini masterclass in food business finances—and while it's longer than usual, it's intentionally so. This is the kind of conversation you can come back to as your business evolves, your numbers change, and your goals become clearer. Your hosts, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) a
165. Choosing Your Word of the Year: Lean Into Who You're Becoming as a Leader
How one word can help you lean into who you were meant to be....leading to benefits in your business and beyond! In brand strategy, we often talk about how a brand's essence can be distilled into a single word — the feeling that runs through everything. In this episode, I take that same idea and apply it to you as a leader, with your Word of the Year. Instead of setting rigid resolutions, I share
164. Holiday Traditions & Making Year-Round Food Rituals
Holidays are a natural time to talk about traditions...and how our brands can be part of the routines & rituals on holidays...and every day! In this more personal episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) swap stories about holiday traditions, from food-centered moments to favorite Christmas songs, and the small rituals that make the season memorable. As the
163. Brand Pillars: The Backbone of Your Brand That Makes a Major Impact
How brand pillars turn strategy into structure — and help your brand stand out. If you've ever felt like your brand is harder to explain than it should be — or like you're doing all the right things to grow but still operating at a "product" level, you might be missing brand pillars! Brand pillars are often talked about as a content or messaging tool, but that's only part of the story. In this epi
162. Review, Regroup & Refocus to Align With Your BHAG
A simple, strategic way to review what's working, regroup your resources, and refocus where you want your business to go next. This episode is relevant any time of the year, but as we look to a new year, it's a natural moment to think about where you've been and where you're going! In Ep 162, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) share a simple framework you can u
161. Should You Go? Choosing Events & Shows That Will Move Your Food Brand Forward
How to decide which local, regional, or national shows make sense for your food business in 2026 based on your brand strategy and goals. Planning events for 2026? In this episode, your hosts Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) break down how to choose the events that actually support your goals — instead of getting swept up in FOMO or the pressure to "be everywh
160. Are You Using "Expedited Cautiousness"? Smart Growth for Food Brands
How food business owners can stay focused & grow intentionally, while building a brand that's in alignment with their strategy. Here's one major advantage smaller food businesses have: the ability to move fast. But that freedom can also leave room to move too quickly into new sales channels, partnerships, or operational decisions...before the business is truly ready. In other words, just because
159. Does Your Message Feel Messy? Start With Strategy Before You Start Writing
Clear messaging doesn't start with better writing — it starts with stronger strategy. If your message feels messy, scattered, or hard to articulate, the problem probably isn't your writing — it's your foundation. In this solo episode, I (Katie Mleziva - Real Food Brands) build on the recent episodes with Clint about Sales and funding growth through grants. You'll hear me talk about why clear messa
158. Using Grants to Grow Your Food Business: VAPG and Beyond
How food and farm businesses can fund intentional growth through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and other aligned grant opportunities. If you've been thinking about how to fund your next stage of growth, this episode will help you explore one of the most practical and accessible options — grants for food and farm businesses. Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (StartRight Fo
157. SALES PERSIST: After the Sales Pitch...How to Turn a Yes or No into Next Steps (4Ps Sales Process Step 5 of 5)
Sometimes sales can feel stressful in your food business, but we're here to help you take a brand-first approach so you can feel aligned, confident, and excited about your sales plans! In the prior four episodes of our 4PS's Sales Process series, you've planned, prepped, and pitched...now what? In the final episode of the series, I'm joined by Clint Matthews from Start Right Foods to talk about wh
156. SALES PITCH: How to Present Your Food Business Like a Pro (4Ps Sales Series Part 4 of 5)
What if pitching your food business to a new buyer felt natural instead of nerve-wracking? We want to help you think differently about pitching. And even if you never enjoy sales quite as much as Clint does, we can help you turn your pitch from a stressful presentation into a confident, brand-aligned conversation that captures the attention of buyers from your "right fit" accounts. In this episode
155. SALES PREP: Practice Makes Perfect, But Preparation Before the Pitch is Powerful (4Ps Sales Process part 3 of 5)
Before you ever pitch your food brand and products, preparation is what will set you apart. Learn how to prep with purpose so you can approach the right buyers for your business with a clear and compelling message they can't help but want to learn more about! In Part 2 of our 4Ps Sales Process series (episode 3 of 5 in this series), Clint and I I talk about how to prep with purpose—because success
154. SALES PLAN: How to Find the Right Retail Buyers for Your Food Business (4Ps Sales Process part 2 of 5)
We're continuing our 4Ps Sales Process, a four-part framework we (Katie Mleziva – Real Food Brands & Clint Matthews -Start Right Foods) created to help food business owners build a sales process that actually works. You can listen to the intro and overview of the process in Ep 153 (linked below). If you caught the intro episode, you know these 4 Ps of Sales — PLAN, PREP, PITCH, and PERSIST —
153. SALES INTRO: Unsure About Sales? Use This to Create a Process You Love (4Ps Sales Process part 1 of 5)
Shift your mindset, own your process, and make sales conversations feel natural. If the thought of selling makes you tense up, this episode is for you. Your hosts, Katie Mleziva of Real Food Brands and Clint Matthews of Start Right Foods, kick off a new mini-series on food business sales with a critical mindset shift that can turn selling from stressful to strategic. Then Clint shares the 4-P Fram
152. Life Lessons to Build a Strong Food Brand
Every entrepreneur learns lessons along the way, but you don't have to learn them all the hard way. In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Food Brand Strategist at Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Co-founder of Start Right Foods) share some of the most important "life lessons" they've picked up from being in the food business over the years — but these learnings apply beyond food brands and can help
151. Take Your Brand Strategy to the Next Level
Once you've built a strong brand foundation for your food business, what's next? There's always room to learn, optimize, and grow! In this episode of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, Katie explores how to take your brand strategy to the next level by moving from brand foundations to brand management as the key to intentional growth. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: How to sharpen you
150. Get Started Creating a Great Brand Strategy
Brand strategy isn't just for big brands with big budgets — it's how smaller, purpose-driven food businesses can actually compete and stand out. In this 150th episode of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, Katie shares a simple, approachable way to get started with brand strategy so it feels doable, not daunting. You'll hear how her DEFINE–ALIGN–ACTIVATE framework works, why clarity, confidence,
149. Choosing Your "Right Fit" Agencies & Strategic Partners
Finding the right vendors, agencies, and strategic service providers can be a game-changer for your food business as you grow. In Ep 149 of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, Katie and Clint share some points to consider when evaluating potential partners so you can avoid wasting time and money—and instead work with people who truly support your vision and business goals. You'll learn: ✔️ Key cr
148. Motivation + Discipline: A Mindset Shift for Sustainable Food Business Growth
Motivation feels exciting. It's the spark that gets you moving, whether that's launching a new product, pursuing a dream retailer, or setting up at a big show. But if you've ever felt your motivation fade, you know it isn't enough on its own. That's where discipline comes in. Discipline is the steady commitment to your food brand's vision and purpose that helps you stay consistent, even when the s
147. 5 Ways YOU Can Build a Brand That Leaves a Legacy (Rooted in Values, Not Just Products)
Legacy isn't just about how long you or your brand have been around — it's about the values you stand for and the consistency you bring to life through your brand. In this episode, Katie Mleziva - your food brand strategist - shares five ways you can start building a legacy brand that goes beyond products to create positive impact and true staying power. What you'll hear in this episode: Why lega
146. Bold Moves to Build a Brand that Leaves a Legacy - with Matt Keepman of Mullen's Dairy Bar
What does it take to build a food brand that leaves a lasting impact? Whether you're just starting out or decades in, your legacy isn't just about how long your brand survives — it's about the people you impact along the way. In this episode, Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva and co-host Clint Matthews, co-founder of Start Right Foods, are joined by Matt Keepman of Mullins Dairy Bar, a nearly 10
145. Be Aware But Not Compare as You Build Your Food Brand (Competitive insight)
Comparison can spark ideas… or it can derail your focus. In this episode, I share how to avoid unhealthy comparison while still keeping an eye on your competitive set. You'll learn how to filter competitor insights through your brand strategy so you can position your brand clearly, have stronger stakeholder conversations, and grow in YOUR lane, not somebody else's. What You'll Hear in This Episode
144. When Opportunity Knocks Do You React or Respond?
As a food business owner, you're constantly making decisions—some big, some small, but all important. And when a new opportunity lands in your lap, it can be tempting to jump in without thinking it through. But that's where brand strategy becomes your superpower and a way to set your brand apart in a consistent, meaningful way. In this episode, I explore: The difference between reacting and respo
143. Ideas Spinning in Your Head? Here's How to Use (or Lose) Them Strategically
Do you ever feel like your brain is overflowing with ideas—but you're not sure what to focus on or how to make progress? This episode is for you if you're full of inspiration, but also full of tabs open in your brain, and each has ten ideas! You'll hear why getting your ideas out of your head and into a documented plan leads to more clarity, alignment, and confidence as well as: Your natural rela
142. Sales Tips for Food Brands - Reach Out, Stand Out, & Follow Through
In Episode 142 of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, we (Katie Mleziva & Clint Matthews) dig into what it means to activate your sales plan—and take action. We cover everything from buyer outreach to building relationships and preparing for buyer meetings. What you'll hear: Why your first step should be checking in on current accounts Where and how to find the right buyer contacts How to make y
141. Bridging Brand Strategy and Sales: Don't Just Sell More, Sell Smarter
Today Clint and I are discussing how to bridge the gap between brand strategy and sales execution. From prioritizing accounts to pitching to retail buyers, we break down how a strong brand foundation supports smarter sales decisions—and prevents wasted time and money. What You'll Hear: Why sales can feel too overcomplicated—and ideas of how to adjust How Clint and his co-founder shifted from "gro
140. Brand Personality: Stay on Brand and Stand Out
If your brand could talk… what would it say? And more importantly, would your ideal people feel connected—or confused? In this solo episode, I explore why brand personality helps you show up consistently, create meaningful connections, and stand out in a crowded market. In fact, it's one of the KEY bridges between your internal strategy and how your brand shows up in the world. You'll learn: Why
139. 4 Ways to Review and Recalibrate Your Brand Strategy
As a food business founder, you've grown. Your business has evolved. Is your brand keeping up? In this solo episode, I'm taking a step back to reflect, with four simple yet powerful questions that can help you review your brand strategy. Whether things feel a little off or you're just due for a tune-up, this episode will help you identify where your brand may be holding you back—and how to recalib
138. Scale Up or Step Away: What's Next for Your Food Business? - with Jordan Buckner of FoodBevy
At some point, every business owner has a moment of reflection—is this brand ready to grow, or is it time to let go? And the reality is that you may even go back and forth on the same day, right?! In this episode, I'm joined by my new co-host Clint Matthews, co-founder of Start Right Foods, and Jordan Buckner, founder of Foodbevy. Jordan shares his behind-the-scenes journey of launching his first
137. Say Less to Sell More...A Sales Tip to Use at Your Next Buyer Meeting
Today I'm joined by Clint Matthews—co-founder of Start Right Foods and my NEW GUEST COHOST! I'm excited to share that Clint will be joining me in some future episodes to bring a fresh food business founder and sales lens to the conversation. Today we're kicking things off with a powerful tip you can bring into your next buyer pitch. In ep 137 we talk about: Clint's journey building a brand over t
136. Be Consistent But Not Boring…When Branding Goes Bad
Let's talk about why strong brand strategy should guide creativity—not restrict it. Brand strategy is meant to bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to how you show up—but sometimes it gets taken too far. In this episode, I talk about the "dark side of strategy"...i.e. what happens when brand strategy becomes so rigid that it starts to backfire. Instead of guiding the team, it boxes them in..
135. Is a Great Product Enough to Grow Your Food Business?
Does your product speak for itself? Early on, especially after some positive feedback on how delicious their products are, many food business owners believe that having a great product is enough. And while your product IS important, when it comes time to grow and scale up your business, a great product is not enough to set you apart. In this episode, I'll explain what makes a food brand stand out
134. How to Shift from Running a Business to Growing a Brand
If your business feels scattered or your growth has stalled, it might be time to step back and ask a powerful question: Are you building a brand or running a business in reaction mode? (ie your business is running you!) In this episode of The Food Business Marketing Podcast, I explore why this distinction matters more than ever in today's crowded market. You'll hear about the mindset shift that s
133. Choose Resources Based on How YOU Learn Best (Plus, 2 Quick Updates!)
Today's episode is a little less strategy teaching and more self-reflection about how you learn best. In part, this is to help you maximize investment of your time and money when you want to learn something for your business, but also because I want to get your feedback about the content I create as well! I will walk you through common learning styles to help you think about how you best absorb
132. B2B Brand Strategy: How to Create Clarity & Build Connection Faster
Why brand strategy gives B2B businesses an edge in standing out, selling more, and scaling with confidence. You might not think of your business as a "brand," especially if you manufacture equipment or offer consulting services—but having a clear brand strategy can make a BIG difference, to you and your team as well as your customers. In fact, it could just be the thing you need to help you stand
131. Would You Rather Be Connecting or Marketing to Build Your Food Business?
What if you created a Connection Plan instead of a traditional Marketing Plan? If the word "marketing" makes you cringe just a little—you're not alone. I know many food business owners who do. And, I have a Marketing degree and I even feel the same way sometimes! But my approach is different. That's why in this short and powerful episode of the Real Food Brands podcast, I'm flipping the script and
130. How to Write a Brand Positioning Statement That Makes Your Brand Stand Out
If you're working to grow your food business but feel like your focus is scattered and your messaging is not as clear as it could be, it's time to revisit your brand positioning. This episode dives into one of the most essential (yet often overlooked or complicated) parts of brand strategy—defining what you want to be known for and why your audience should choose and stay loyal to your brand. In t
129. Marketing Feels Like Too Much When You're Busy? 3 Steps to Create On-Brand Content Faster
When you're running a food business, marketing can easily fall to the bottom of your list—especially during busy seasons. But consistency matters, and your brand strategy can be the lifeline that helps you stay visible without starting from scratch. In this episode, I share a 3-step approach to creating aligned content faster, so you can stay consistent, show up with purpose, and avoid the overwhe
