Harvest to Pour: Business of Beverages

Matthew Shipp
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Harvest to Pour interviews business leaders and producers in the beverage industry. We discuss topics such as business strategy, marketing, and operations, with a focus on the journey your beverage takes, from the raw ingredients to the final pour. Catering to an audience of beverage industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

  1. Continuous improvement in craft beverage tools—inside Foeder Crafters’ evolution, with Dan Saettele.

    JUL 23

    Continuous improvement in craft beverage tools—inside Foeder Crafters’ evolution, with Dan Saettele.

    What does it take to buy a niche manufacturing business in the middle of a pandemic—and make it thrive? In this episode, Matthew talks with Dan Saettele, the former banker who now runs Foeder Crafters, the only U.S. company manufacturing foeders full-time. These massive Missouri White Oak fermentation tanks are turning heads in taprooms and changing the way craft beverages are made. Dan opens up about the transition from finance to the shop floor, the operational overhaul he led, and the mindset that keeps the company evolving. This is a story of continuous improvement, smart leadership, and rethinking how tradition meets innovation. ✅ What a foeder is—and why it’s different from a barrel ✅ How Dan navigated supply chain, staffing, and process redesign ✅ The philosophy of “nothing is sacred” in product development ✅ Common misconceptions about American oak and how Foeder Crafters challenges them ✅ Global trends in fermentation—from Korea to natural wine ✅ Advice for anyone thinking of buying a niche business in craft beverage   Foeder Crafters of America Dan Saettele Instagram Facebook LinkedIn   Sponsors: Debbie Wildrick Consulting       Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    29 min
  2. Bridging Tables - Making direct trade work for small coffee farmers and independent roasters with Matt Hayes

    JUL 2

    Bridging Tables - Making direct trade work for small coffee farmers and independent roasters with Matt Hayes

    Coffee’s global supply chain is long, layered, and stacked against the smallest players. Farmers need capital up front. Roasters want terms. And between them, a maze of middlemen adds cost and confusion. Matt Hayes, founder of Bridging Tables, is helping both ends meet. With a background in recruiting and deep ties in emerging markets, Matt built a model that finances trust, not just transactions. By enabling direct trade, providing pre-financing, and focusing on real relationships, Bridging Tables is rethinking how coffee moves and who benefits. In this episode, we dive into:  ✅ Why the traditional supply chain doesn’t work for farmers or roasters  ✅ How Bridging Tables structures contracts to meet both sides’ financial needs  ✅ The story of Kilvet, a small Honduran farmer whose profit soared 1000%  ✅ What transparent pricing and live translation tech can do for trust  ✅ The role of human connection in building sustainable, scalable change   Bridging Tables Matt Hayes Instagram Facebook   Sponsors Debbie Wildrick Consulting       Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    45 min
  3. Inside the Beverage Business: Lessons from the Queen of Beverages with Debbie Wildrick.

    JUN 11

    Inside the Beverage Business: Lessons from the Queen of Beverages with Debbie Wildrick.

    Debbie Wildrick knows what it takes to get a beverage brand on the shelf—and keep it there. In this episode, we unpack the critical challenges growing beverage businesses face, especially as they hit that tricky $1M–$5M range. With decades of experience on both the retail and brand side, Debbie offers a deep dive into the strategy, structure, and systems that separate smart scaling from stalled momentum. ✅ The #1 mistake mid-stage brands make with distribution ✅ Why shipping costs quietly kill profitability ✅ How to track and interpret retail velocity ✅ When to rebrand—and when to hold off ✅ Building the right sales team inside and out ✅ What it takes to move from startup to scale ✅ A sneak peek at Debbie’s “10 Pillars” program for beverage founders Whether you’re just starting out or navigating mid-stage growth pains, this episode delivers the kind of tactical insight that moves your business forward. Debbie Wildrick Consulting Debbie Wildrick 10 Pillars to Building a Successful Company  Free Download LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Sponsors: ActionCOACH     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    33 min
  4. Taming the Chaos: How Tech Is Reshaping Wine and Spirits Distribution with Jim Harris

    MAY 28

    Taming the Chaos: How Tech Is Reshaping Wine and Spirits Distribution with Jim Harris

    Jim brings decades of experience in beverage distribution and now leads efforts at Western Computer to implement 365WineTrade, a tech platform built specifically for the alcohol space. He shares how integrated ERP systems not only streamline operations but also enable businesses to plan smarter, automate compliance, and ultimately grow without the usual chaos. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why spreadsheets and QuickBooks don’t scale with your business ✅ How 365WineTrade simplifies tax reporting and inventory management ✅ The real cost of scaling across state lines—and how to track it ✅ Why phased software adoption helps prevent overwhelm ✅ How AI and automation are already improving operations for beverage brands   Jim Harris Western Computer LinkedIn Facebook 365WineTrade Food and Beverage ERP Software   Sponsors: ActionCOACH       Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    27 min
  5. How offloading mental to-dos creates space for clarity and calm.

    MAY 23

    How offloading mental to-dos creates space for clarity and calm.

    As a solopreneur, even a simple holiday weekend can stir up stress. Why? Because your system gets disrupted, your rhythm pauses, and suddenly all those unfinished to-dos are bouncing around in your head. In this quick Workshop Minute, Matthew Shipp addresses the challenge of mental overload—and offers a proven method to ease it. Matthew explores the power of writing tasks down and how externalizing your thoughts can dramatically reduce stress and sharpen your focus. Whether you're a pen-and-paper person or prefer digital tools, the key is getting your tasks out of your head and into a trusted system. ✅ Why keeping tasks in your head creates mental tension ✅ The psychological reason unfinished tasks dominate your thoughts ✅ How writing things down—literally—gives your brain permission to relax ✅ Pen vs. digital: what really matters when externalizing tasks ✅ A simple pre-break ritual to reduce anxiety and increase clarity     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    6 min
  6. The science and strategy behind water purification for beverage producers with Cydian Kauffman of Pure Water Northwest

    MAY 14

    The science and strategy behind water purification for beverage producers with Cydian Kauffman of Pure Water Northwest

    Water isn't just an ingredient—it's the backbone of every beverage. But most brewers, roasters, and growers don’t realize how much water quality can make or break their final product. In this episode, we explore the challenge of designing water systems that meet both health standards and flavor goals. Matthew welcomes Cydian Kauffman, co-owner of Pure Water Northwest, to unpack the real science behind water purification. From custom mineral blends to the myths of reverse osmosis, Cydian shares practical insight for anyone working with beverages at scale. ✅ The difference between legal standards (MCL) and health goals (MCLG) ✅ How to test your water—and why full-spectrum testing matters ✅ What brewers need to know about hardness, pH, and calcium ✅ When reverse osmosis is useful—and when it’s overkill ✅ How agricultural producers use water treatment to protect crops and livestock ✅ Simple steps to start improving your water today   Cydian Koffman Cydian@purewaternorthwest.com Pure Water Northwest Facebook Instagram X   Sponsors: ActionCOACH     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    33 min
  7. Improving worker health and recovery naturally with LifeWave’s innovative patch technology.

    APR 30

    Improving worker health and recovery naturally with LifeWave’s innovative patch technology.

    When your business depends on physical work, long days and wear-and-tear are inevitable. But what if there was a way to support recovery naturally — without relying on constant medication or invasive treatments? This episode looks at a new path forward for businesses and workers alike. Michael Babcock joins the show to share his experience with LifeWave’s X39 patch, a simple, light-activated technology that helps the body heal itself by reactivating dormant stem cells. Michael breaks down how this solution is helping workers across industries stay stronger, heal faster, and extend their ability to perform at their best. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ How LifeWave’s X39 patch uses light therapy to support natural healing ✅ Why stem cell reactivation matters for physical endurance and recovery ✅ Real-world success stories from construction, farming, and logistics ✅ The importance of consistency to see real, lasting results ✅ New innovations LifeWave is bringing to health and energy sustainability ✅ How business owners can better support the people behind their products     Michael Babcock LifeWave Facebook   Sponsors: ActionCOACH     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    20 min
  8. Scaling Businesses Strategically Before Success Becomes a Setback with Dr. Mike Smith of ActionCOACH.

    APR 2

    Scaling Businesses Strategically Before Success Becomes a Setback with Dr. Mike Smith of ActionCOACH.

    When is the right time to scale your business—and what happens if you do it too soon? In this episode of Harvest to Pour, we dig into the critical transition that many business owners face after a period of rapid success. While hitting big revenue goals is exciting, it often reveals hidden gaps in systems, capital, and team structure. Without the right strategy, growth can quickly turn into overwhelm—or worse, backslide. Our guest, Dr. Mike Smith of Action Coach, brings decades of experience helping businesses scale with intention. From leading Fortune 500 transformations to coaching small business owners, Mike shares practical tools that help founders move from chaos to clarity. His approach focuses on measurable steps, structured systems, and aligning business goals with personal freedom. If you're ready to grow—without losing control—this conversation is a must-listen. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why many businesses fail right after their most profitable year ✅ The warning signs you're not ready to scale (even if revenue says otherwise) ✅ How to turn a “job” into a sellable business asset ✅ What every owner should know about their numbers before growing ✅ How Dr. Mike uses diagnostics to uncover growth opportunities ✅ The real reason aligning personal and business goals matters ✅ Free tools and workshops available through ActionCOACH ✅ How to plan for exit, succession, or simply stepping back with confidence   Dr. Mike Smith ActionCOACH Eventbrite LinkedIn Instagram Facebook   Sponsors: Bluebird Hardwater   Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a guest: https://emberisolutions.com/harvest-to-pour/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    21 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Harvest to Pour interviews business leaders and producers in the beverage industry. We discuss topics such as business strategy, marketing, and operations, with a focus on the journey your beverage takes, from the raw ingredients to the final pour. Catering to an audience of beverage industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

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