Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford

Chelsea Ford
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Imagine a consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry where both small and large players coexist on a level playing field, consumers have choice, there’s integrity in what they’re buying and they experience innovative, sustainable products.In this weekly podcast, hosted by founder, award-winning coach, consultant & small business advocate, Chelsea Ford, you'll hear interviews with incredible founders and hard-to-reach industry specialists as well as practical and actionable content that directly supports your CPG business to grow, become more profitable and thrive.Learn more at www.chelseaford.com .

  1. 4D AGO

    #155 How Sorry Nonna are Building a Cult Pasta Sauce Brand

    Send a text Two creatives, a side startup, and a pasta sauce that's turning heads across Australia. In Episode 155 of the Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford podcast - Season 16, Planning Season - I sit down with Lachlan and Grga, the Melbourne co-founders behind Sorry Nonna. One's a graphic designer. The other's an advertising creative director who's worked with Netflix and Gatorade. Together, they're doing things in the pasta sauce category that Nonna absolutely did not approve. Gochujang Arrabbiata. Limoncello Marinara. A limited-edition Carolina Reaper collab with Doom Juice wine. Oh, and a coffee bolognese that consumer testing quietly killed before it saw the light of day. But underneath the cheeky branding and flavour obsession, there's a real business story, about what happens when creatives lean hard into their strengths, start planning (loosely), and build a cult following before chasing the majors. Tune in to hear: 🍝 How Grga and Lachlan built a brand world first, and why they believe everything else follows from that 🍝 What winning a BiteBack Award actually unlocked for them - including the consumer testing that saved them from a very bad idea 🍝 Why they're in 100+ stockists in stores they genuinely love, and what that's done for their growth 🍝 How planning doesn't have to kill your creativity - it just needs to suit you This episode of Season 16 - Planning Season - is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival. The only Festival where packaged brands get seen, stocked and supported. LINKS & RESOURCES: Sorry Nonna websiteSorry Nonna InstagramBiteBack Awards Entry KitYour Free Pitch PlanBecome A Foodpreneurs Festival InsiderChelsea Ford Co. Industry NewsletterSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    46 min

  2. MAR 4

    #154 How to Make Social Content That People Actually Stop Scrolling For

    Send a text You’re putting out content, but is anyone really noticing? Or are your posts getting lost in the feed? I sat down with Sarah Kiryshin and Mandy Humphreys, co-founders of Content Bites, to uncover how food and beverage brands can make content that doesn’t just exist—it connects, excites, and sells. These two know why “beautiful food” is often your golden ticket and how to produce it fast without burning out. In this episode, we break down exactly what works in 2026: 📱How consumers are actually watching content - and how to grab them before they scroll past  ⏱️ The video length sweet spot that keeps eyes on your brand  🍓Why showing your food in its best light isn’t optional - it’s critical  ⚡Quick content production hacks that actually generate excitement  ❤️ The secret to creating posts that build real connection and loyalty This episode of Season 16 - Planning Season - is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival. The only Festival where packaged brands get seen, stocked, and supported. Sarah and Mandy will be there, make sure to say hi to them in the Festival Fairground! LINKS & RESOURCES: Content Bites InstagramContent Bites websiteYour Free Pitch PlanBecome A Foodpreneurs Festival InsiderChelsea Ford Co. Industry NewsletterSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    54 min

  3. FEB 25

    #153 Taking Control of Cash Flow & Working Capital (Before It Controls You!)

    Send a text Running a consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand is exciting, but it comes with financial challenges - from inventory management to seasonal sales swings.  In this episode, I sit down with Tien Do from BlueRock to break down the essential tools for building confidence and control in your business finances. What you’ll learn in this episode: 💵  Sales vs Cash Flow: Understanding the difference and why having sales doesn’t always mean having available cash.  📅 The 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast: A simple, actionable method to see trends, anticipate tight spots, and make informed decisions. ⛽ Working Capital Explained: What it is, why it matters, and the levers founders can pull to manage it. 🔮 Planning Ahead: How far in advance you need to forecast to handle seasonal highs and lows, and how this links to your personal remuneration and business growth. 🏆 Awards as a Strategic Tool: Even if you don’t win, why accountants want you to enter. Who knew! 🌳 Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Step back, block out time for your business, and make decisions with a clear destination in mind. This episode of Season 16 - Planning Season - is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival. The only Festival where packaged brands get seen, stocked and supported. LINKS & RESOURCES: BlueRock websiteTien Do LinkedInFoodpreneurs Festival ticketsBiteBack AwardsBiteBack Awards Entry KitYour Free Pitch PlanChelsea Ford Co. Industry Newsletter📅 Event Update: The March 5th Shelf Velocity event at BlueRock, Melbourne has been cancelled. Season 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    38 min

  4. FEB 18

    #152 Getting a Buyer to Say Yes (According to an Actual Buyer!)

    Send a text What actually makes a buyer say yes? And more importantly… how do you avoid becoming the bottom 5% in your category and getting delisted? In this powerhouse conversation, I sit down with Stuart O’Reilly from LaManna, one of Australia’s largest independent supermarkets, to unpack what founders rarely get told about retail. This episode was so good we had to restart the recording due to tech hiccups - and honestly, I’m glad we did. What followed was a candid, generous and deeply practical conversation about brand building, demand creation and what it truly means to partner with a retailer. In this episode, we unpack: 🔥 Real examples of brands who executed brilliantly - layering activations, in-store demos, social buzz, collaboration and display strategy to drive serious uplift 🛒 What buyers actually look for when you approach them - from tone of communication to brand story, shelf presence and category gaps 📈 Why demand creation matters more than product alone (and how smart brands prime momentum before they ever hit shelf) 📦 Supply chain realities founders often underestimate - and how poor replenishment can quietly derail early success 💡 The difference between “ranging” and true partnership - what backing your brand in-store really looks like ⚖️ The delicate balance of margin, price promotion, and protecting your brand value 🚨 What puts a product on the delist watchlist - and how to stay off it This episode of Season 16 - Planning Season - is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival. The only Festival where packaged brands get seen, stocked and supported.  LINKS & RESOURCES: LaManna websiteLaManna InstagramStuart O’Reilly LinkedInYour Free Pitch PlanBecome A Foodpreneurs Festival InsiderChelsea Ford Co. Industry NewsletterSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    49 min

  5. FEB 11

    #151 How to Stop Leaving Money On the Table Once You're On Shelf

    Send a text Getting on shelf is a milestone, but (close your ears if you're faint hearted), it's just the starting line. In episode 151 of the Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford podcast, I sit down with Rebecca Brook, founder of Rise Growth Lab, a food and beverage accelerator. This conversation is for brand owners already on shelf. If you want to finish 2026 with more accounts, more reorders and more money in your pocket - and stop leaving it on the table - this is your episode. Grab your pen and tune in to hear: 🛒 How to improve your rate of sale 🎯 Best practice for selecting the right channel partners 💰 The difference between COGS-plus-guesswork and what consumers will actually pay 📊 What a 30, 60, 90 day promotional plan looks like without a big budget 🔄 What you need to do to get reorders 📦 The cost of goods levers most founders haven't pulled yet This episode of Season 16 - Planning Season - is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival. The only Festival where packaged brands get seen, stocked and supported. Rebecca will be there speaking on the Dream Lab stage. Make sure you drop into her talk and say hi to her in the Festival Fairground! LINKS & RESOURCES: Rise Growth Lab websiteRise Growth Lab InstagramRebecca Brook LinkedInProduct on More Shelves ChecklistRise Food & Beverage AcceleratorYour Free Pitch PlanBecome A Foodpreneurs Festival InsiderChelsea Ford Co. Industry NewsletterSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    45 min

  6. FEB 4

    #150 Behind Pistachio Papi and LaManna: What Ensures Profitable Brands Stay Profitable

    Send a text Your brand is killing it on social media. Sales are growing. But are you actually making money? In episode 150 of the Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford podcast - the first episode of Season 16, Planning Season - I sit down with Jason Stockton, founder of ERP system, Supply'd, and Patrick LaManna, CEO of LaManna Supermarket and Director of social media sensation Pistachio Papi. Here's the thing: even wildly successful brands with a multitude of followers need tight operational systems. They still need to nail forecasting, manage cashflow, and understand true costs. Jason's Supply'd helps food businesses do exactly that - streamlining inventory, production, and financial planning so you're not bleeding money as you scale. This conversation is a reality check for every brand owner who thinks growth solves operational problems. It doesn't. It exposes them. Grab your pen and tune in to hear: 💰 What you need to understand your true costs 🏭 How to manage unpredictable ordering patterns 📦 Managing your cashflow when you have multiple sales channels all with different lead times ⏱️ How to prevent overproduction, stockouts, and missed orders 🎯 The forecasting shift that protects your margins when wholesale customers are expecting their order and you can't just sell them something else This is the first episode of Season 16 - Planning Season, brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival. The only Festival where packaged brands get seen, stocked and supported. Jason will be there delivering his workshop, “What's Eating Your Margin? Uncovering Your Hidden Operational Costs.” for brands at the scale stage of their journey. Make sure you drop into his session or say hi to him in the Festival Fairground! LINKS & RESOURCES: Supply’d websiteLaManna InstagramPistachio Papi InstagramPatrick LaManna LinkedInJason Stockton LinkedInEpisode #134 Industry Insights from Foodpreneurs Festival 2025Your Free Pitch PlanBecome A FoodpreneursSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    1h 18m

  7. 12/19/2025

    #149 How to Avoid Being Delisted (Explained by an Actual Retailer)

    Send a text You're on shelf. Now what? In this episode of Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford, I chat with Sonia Martinez, a retail expert from AUR Foodworks who works with both retailers and brands to improve in-store ranging, product positioning, and merchandising. Sonia is clear: retailers provide real estate, they won't do the selling for you. And if your product isn't moving, you're at risk of getting delisted. Grab your pen and paper and take notes. If you're driving for velocity, tune in to hear: 🛒 The one thing brands in Whole Foods did every week for six months that kept them on shelf 📸 What to photograph in-store that reveals exactly where your opportunity is 🤝 The partnership tool that makes retailers less risk-averse about keeping your product 🍯 When to propose "off-location" displays (and what that actually means) 📦 Why repositioning your product in a different category could save it from delisting 🚫 The biggest mistake founders make once they're on shelf Sonia shares what separates brands who stay on shelf from those who get delisted and why every stockist should be treated like an active campaign, not a done deal. This is the eighth and final episode of Season 15 - Marketing Season. If your product isn't moving the way you hoped, this conversation gives you the playbook to turn it around. Season 15 is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival, a year's worth of sales and promotion opportunities under one roof. Sonia will be there on the Buyer Tasting Panel and delivering workshops for start-ups and scaling brands. Say hi to her! LINKS & RESOURCES: Sonia’s LinkedIn Your Free Pitch PlanBecome A Foodpreneurs Festival InsiderChelsea Ford Co. websiteSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    1h 3m

  8. 12/17/2025

    #148 Marketing System for Food Brands: Clear, Consistent, Low Maintenance

    Send a text Your product is great. People love it. But you're still struggling to sell it. Sound familiar? In episode 148 of the Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford podcast, I chat with Jayne Gallagher, CEO and co-founder of Honey & Fox, a marketing consultancy that helps good food brands turn provenance into sales. Jayne and her business partner Helen work specifically with food and drink businesses to cut through the marketing overwhelm and create systems that actually drive revenue - without needing a four-year marketing degree to do it. Tune in to hear Jayne share her provenance-powered marketing system:  📖 The five elements that create compelling brand stories 🤝 Why over 60% of consumers don't trust what they see, hear, or read 🦀 A case study about a Queensland crab fishing business that saved tens of thousands in packaging costs by getting their brand strategy right before pressing go 🎯 Why most food brands start in the wrong place with social media 💰 How to set a realistic marketing budget ✅ The three things every buyer wants Jayne breaks down why marketing isn't just social media, why proof is now one of your most precious commodities, and how to avoid the overwhelm of 50-100 conflicting pieces of marketing advice by following a simple system designed specifically for food and drink. This episode is part of Season 15 - marketing season and is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival - a year's worth of sales and promotion opportunities under one roof.  Honey & Fox will be hosting a 'Brand Story Studio' at the Festival in May, 2026. LINKS & RESOURCES: Honey & Fox websiteProvenance Powered MarketingFood Marketing AcademyFraser Isle Spanner Crabjayne@honeyandfox.com.auhelen@honeyandfox.com.au'Brand Story Studio' at Foodpreneurs FestivalEdelman Trust BarometerYour Free Pitch PlanBecome A FoSeason 16 Season 16, out now, is 'Planning Season' and is being presented by Foodpreneurs Festival - a must-attend event dedicated to bringing consumer packaged goods food, drink (alc and non-alc), pet and supplements brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors together under one roof. Here’s why you should be there: Thousands of stockists looking for new products for their shelves. A chance to pitch for funding + mentorship to scale your brand. Workshops tailored to where you’re at - whether you’re just starting or scaling big (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Brand Story Studio’ - 1:1 help with your messaging strategy - you'll leave with your founder story dialled in (THIS IS NEW!) ‘Distributor Lunch & Learn’ opportunity to speak directly with distributors about how they work and what they need you to do to work successfully with them. Opportunities to get recognised and get your brand in front of brand owners, buyers, media, industry specialists, distributors and investors. If you’re an Industry Specialist, tap into a highly engaged, niche audience. And much, much more. Schedule May 21-22 in your diary and click this link to see how you can be part of it.

    57 min
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About

Imagine a consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry where both small and large players coexist on a level playing field, consumers have choice, there’s integrity in what they’re buying and they experience innovative, sustainable products.In this weekly podcast, hosted by founder, award-winning coach, consultant & small business advocate, Chelsea Ford, you'll hear interviews with incredible founders and hard-to-reach industry specialists as well as practical and actionable content that directly supports your CPG business to grow, become more profitable and thrive.Learn more at www.chelseaford.com .

Information

  • Creator
    Chelsea Ford
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford
  • Show Website
    Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford

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