Profits on Purpose

Nate Littlewood
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS

Welcome to the Profits on Purpose Podcast! New episodes weekly.

  1. 9H AGO

    SE01E39 From a Thousand Stores to National Scale | Byte'm Brownies | Jack Davis and Jacob Tubis

    Jack Davis and Jacob Tubis, co-founders of Byte'm Brownie Bites, have spent the past year doing something most emerging CPG brands avoid: going bodega to bodega, store to store, building nearly a thousand retail doors in New York City — fully bootstrapped. In this episode, they get candid about the real financial realities of scaling a physical food brand, from the cash drain of retail promotions to the supplier nightmares that cost them thousands of dollars with zero accountability. They also dig into the decision to hire fractional financial support early, why simplifying operations beats chasing "200 IQ plays," and what they'd tell their younger selves about partner communication before things go sideways. With Expo West behind them and a national launch ahead, Jack and Jacob are at an inflection point — and they're refreshingly honest about what it actually takes to get there. Website: https://www.bytemfood.com Company LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/byte-m-brownie-bites Jack Davis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-davis-38ab9315a/ Jacob TubisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-tubis-a8b847155/ Social Handles:Instagram: @bytembrowniesTikTok: @bytembrownies Jacob personal: @bytemjk Jack personal: @bytemjack I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    36 min

  2. MAR 25

    SE01E38 Stop Flying Blind: An Accounting Expert's Guide to Financial Clarity for E-Commerce Founders | LedgerGurus | Stephen Brown

    Most e-commerce founders treat bookkeeping as a tax necessity and nothing more — until the day they realise they've built a million-dollar business with no idea whether it's actually profitable. Stephen Brown, Co-Founder and COO of LedgerGurus, has seen this story play out hundreds of times. In this episode, he and Nate dig into what good financial infrastructure actually looks like at different stages of growth, the three key metrics every e-commerce founder should be tracking, and why the cash conversion cycle is the most underrated number in your business. Stephen also shares what happened when he and his partners applied Profit First principles to their own DTC brand — including the moment they fired all their agencies and finally got profitable. If you've ever thought of accounting as a cost center, this episode will change your mind. Connect with Stephen Brown & LedgerGurus:🌐 Website: https://www.ledgergurus.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stebro📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ledgergurus▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LedgerGurus👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LedgerGurus🎙️ Podcast: eCommerce Finance Podcast I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    47 min

  3. MAR 25

    SE01E37 Scaling a Premium RTD Brand Without Full-Time Employees | The Original Southside | Meredith Mills-Merritt

    What happens when your gut says yes and every financial data point says run? Meredith Mills-Merritt, Founder and CEO of The Original Southside, found out firsthand when she signed a six-figure Florida Panthers sponsorship just months after brick-and-mortar launch — no CFO, no full-time staff, and a friends-and-family round that had barely closed. In this episode, Meredith walks Nate through the financial tightrope of scaling a premium RTD cocktail brand at speed: how she pitched distributors before she had consumer demand data, why she ignored the advice to go slow, and what it actually costs when you keep the wrong person on payroll three months too long. She also shares her surprisingly rigorous approach to tracking ROI on brand-building spend — and the Hampton polo event that worked brilliantly one summer and completely flopped the next.  If you're a founder trying to balance mission, margin, and momentum, this one is for you. Connect with Meredith here: Website: https://www.drinksouthsides.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithleahmills I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    54 min

  4. MAR 18

    SE01E36 The $500K Inventory Problem $5M Brands Don't Know About | W.NDeen Advisory | Walid Nasserdeen

    Walid Nasserdeen is the founder of W.NDeen Advisory and a fractional demand planning and S&OP partner for high-growth CPG brands. In this conversation, Nate and Walid dig into one of the most overlooked financial problems in the CPG space — inventory. From the hidden cost of excess stock to the revenue lost from stockouts, Walid breaks down why most founders are operating without a real forecasting system, what that's actually costing them, and how to fix it. If you've ever felt like you're constantly running out of your best sellers while sitting on dead stock you can't move, this episode is for you. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wnasserdeen Company Website: https://www.wndeenadvisory.com Walid Nasserdeen is the founder of W.NDeen Advisory and theauthor of Mind Your Business, a bestselling book on business operations and strategy. Walid specialises in demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management for CPG brands doing $5 million and up in revenue.With a background in finance and economics, he's previously worked with companies including Mattel, Tropical Foods, and Pelican Cases. His approach helps founders move from reactive firefighting to proactive systems — and his firm works exclusively with CPG brands. I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    47 min

  5. MAR 11

    SE01E35 What $600M in Growth Equity Looks For in a Consumer Brand | Prelude Growth Partners | William Quartner

    William Quartner is a Partner at Prelude Growth Partners — one of the most active growth equity firms in consumer, with a $600M fund and exits including a $400M sale of Bachans. In this conversation, Nate and Will get into what investors at this level are actually looking for: how they screen founders, why they take a category-first approach to identifying opportunities, and what makes a brand scalable vs. a cash-burning trap. If you've ever wondered how the investment world works — or whether your brand is the kind of thing that could attract serious capital — this episode will give you a clear-eyed view from someone writing the cheques. Connect with William: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamquartner/Company Website: https://preludegrowth.com I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    48 min

  6. MAR 4

    SE01E34 A $2M Seed Round, 1,000 Retail Doors, and the BevNet Pitch That Made Him Cry | Bear Maple Farms | Brian Bethke

    Brian Bethke has done this before. He built and exited a music industry brand — Supro and Pigtronics — before pivoting into the beverage space with Bear Maple Farms, a clean soda brand now in nearly 1,000 retail stores and backed by a $2M seed round. But success on paper hasn't made the journey any easier. In this conversation, Brian shares the unfiltered story behind Bear Maple Farms: the BevNet pitch contest he lost despite months of preparation, two complete brand repositioning pivots, the data-driven decision to walk away from Whole Foods and build a grassroots retail story first, and the tension between investor expectations and a founder's instinct to extend runway and build sustainably.As a second-time founder, Brian also gets candid about what he wishes he'd understood earlier — and why getting financial help years sooner would have saved him five years on his first business. Key Topics:Two brand pivots: from sparkling ginseng elixir to clean soda — and how customer feedback drove the final positioningLosing the BevNet pitch contest and rebuilding from scratchWhy chasing Whole Foods early can be a trap — and the independent retail strategy that got Bear Maple to 1,000 storesThe real cost of trade spend at large retail chainsSeed round strategy: raise as little as needed, extend runway, and don't get on the VC treadmill before you're readyWhat a fractional CFO actually does — from a founder who knows the difference between building with and without one Guest Bio: Brian Bethke is the founder of Bear Maple Farms, a clean soda brand featuring ginseng for focus and clarity. A second-time founder, Brian previously built and exited Supro and Pigtronics — a music industry brand sold in 2020. Bear Maple Farms launched during the pandemic after Brian relocated to the CatskillMountains, where tapping maple trees with his daughter sparked the idea. The brand has since grown to nearly 1,000 retail stores across the Northeast and raised a $2 million seed round. LinkedIn: Company Website: https://www.bearmapledrinks.com@drinkbearmaple Amazon discount code PROFITS25 I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    42 min

  7. FEB 25

    SE01E33 Depth over Premature Scale | Black Leaf Vodka | Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow

    Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow are the co-founders of Black Leaf Vodka, the first French organic vodka company in the United States. Their journey from a chance meeting in Cognac, France to building an award- winning spirits brand is a masterclass in resourcefulness, strategic focus, and the power of complementarypartnerships. In this episode, we dive deep into the realities of scaling a capital-intensive business with limited resources.Kevin and Monté share candid insights on navigating the three-tier distribution system, managing inventory with long lead times, and making tough prioritization decisions when opportunities far exceed available capital. We explore their current fundraising journey—raising a $2M seed round—and the surprising lessons they've learned about investor relations (hint: it's a numbers game that requires 500+ conversations). They reveal creative tactics like leveraging "influencer investors" with survey tools to generate warm intros and how bringing investors into their "brand world" over cocktails drives better conversations than traditional pitch decks. Kevin brings a finance background while Monté has hands-on spirits industry experience, creating a partnership they describe as "organic" and perfectly aligned. Their philosophy of "controlled depth versus premature scale" offers valuable wisdom for any founder facing the tension between growth ambitions and resource constraints.  Conntect with Kevin and Monté:Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klarkai/Monté: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monteburrow/ I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    36 min

  8. FEB 18

    SE01E32 - The Real Costs of Retail Expansion | Cali FoodStar, Inc. | Michael Salman

    Michael Salman went from managing tours for Usher and LL Cool J to the cannabis industry, and now he's disrupting the fresh salsa category in major retailers. As Co-Founder and COO of Cali FoodStar, Inc., Michael has landed his fresh salsa brand in over 200 doors in just six months, with major chains on the horizon.In this episode, Michael pulls back the curtain on the real economics of retail expansion. He shares how produce prices can triple overnight (peeled garlic went from $42 to $120 per case in six weeks), why slotting fees can cost $40,000 before selling a single unit, and how buyer relationships can take 4-6 months to mature—or require waiting another year for the next category review. But beyond the challenges, Michael reveals the strategic thinking that's driving his rapid growth: starting with a geographic nucleus instead of going nationwide, using sales data to dial in margins before scaling, and leveraging relationships built across music, cannabis, and CPG to open doors others can't access. Whether you're launching a CPG brand or scaling an existing one, Michael's boots-on-the-ground insights into commodity pricing volatility, production planning with perishables, and creative financing strategies will give you a realistic roadmap for retail success. Key Topics:Transferable skills across unregulated (cannabis) vs regulated (CPG) marketsManaging commodity pricing volatility in fresh food productionThe true costs of retail: slotting fees, trade spend, and marketing dollarsStrategic geographic expansion: nucleus approach vs shotgun strategyBuilding buyer relationships without being pushyFinancing options: PO financing vs invoice factoringProduction planning and demand forecasting with limited shelf lifeBootstrapping to 200 stores in 6 months Guest: Michael Salman, Co-Founder & COO, Cali FoodStar, Inc.Website: www.califoodstar.com I hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Nate and the Profits on Purpose podcast team Connect with Nathan Littlewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/Visit the Future Ready CFO website here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/Join the Future Ready Newsletter here: https://www.futurereadycfo.com/newsletter Listen to Profits on Purpose on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1h3U1cG0zhaSwqa8f2UFXIApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087Amazon Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/profits-on-purpose/id1826982087 #profitsonpurpose #nathanlittlewood #futurereadycfo #financeleadership #cfoinsights #purposeledbusiness #scalingforimpact #financialstrategy #purposeledprofit #missiondrivengrowth #sustainablebusiness #businessleaders #entrepreneurmindset #financialclarity #scalingbusinesses #ethicalentrepreneurship #businessstrategy #impactfulleadership #cforole #executivethinkingWelcome to the Profits on Purpose podcast, where we explore the journeys of purpose-led founders and the financial strategies that help them survive and thrive. Host Nate Littlewood sits down with eCommerce and CPG founders to unpack the real-life tension between a brand's mission and the practical realities of generating profit.

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Profits on Purpose Podcast! New episodes weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Nate Littlewood
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nate Littlewood

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