Myles Powell: From Engineer to Food Entrepreneur Building a Clean CPG Brand

Myles Powell began his career as a civil engineer after earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with a business minor from the University of Delaware, but he quickly discovered his true passion for food entrepreneurship. After a brief stint with the Food Network, he launched 8 Myles and spent the next several years balancing full-time work, completing his MBA, and growing the business. In 2018, Myles strategically shifted the brand to fill a gap in the market for premium, clean frozen comfort food, a move that accelerated its growth. By 2021, he left engineering to focus fully on scaling 8 Myles, driven by a clear vision to build one of the few Black-owned CPG companies valued at over $200 million.

In this episode, Dante and Myles discuss:

• What CPG (consumer packaged goods) really means and why it’s such a competitive industry
• Myles’ transition from civil engineering to food entrepreneurship
• Access to capital and the lack of representation for Black-owned CPG brands
• The Shark Tank experience and lessons learned from pitching at the highest level
• Why brand storytelling matters more than taste alone

Key Takeaways: 

• Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line, and early missteps often provide the most valuable lessons. Taking time to build knowledge, momentum, and stability can make the difference between burnout and sustainable success.
• Building a CPG brand requires patience, focus, and discipline, especially in the early stages. Limiting products and perfecting a core lineup helps prevent unnecessary complexity.
• Frozen food doesn’t have to mean unhealthy or low quality. With the right ingredients and philosophy, convenience and real food can coexist.
• Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers in CPG, particularly for underrepresented founders. Finding the right partners matters as much as finding funding.
• Strong brands solve real problems, not just taste preferences. When consumers understand how a product improves their lives, price becomes a secondary factor.

“Success is being profitable. I think that provides a level of stability that I think will also lead to a lot of mental clarity.” - Myles Powell

Connect with Myles Powell:

Website: mylescomfortfoods.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-powell-5b529025/ 

Email: myles@mylescomfortfoods.com 

Connect with Dante Royster:

Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKTRWLRP

LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster

YouTube: Epic Spotlight 

Email: dante@epic.mortgage 

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Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.