Recipe to Revenue

Leah Messina | Sinuate Media
  • 4.4 (7)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Recipe for Revenue is your go-to show for the latest in food and beverage business and marketing, brought to you by Sinuate Media and Intercontinental Beverage Capital. Join us as we dive deep into the secrets behind successful food, beverage, and spirits brands, featuring interviews with industry leaders who share the key ingredients that have driven their businesses to success. Whether you're in the industry or just curious, this show offers valuable insights into what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of food and beverage. Tune in and discover the recipe for revenue!

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 54 - How Starbucks’ First Nutritionist Fixed Baby Food

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! After pioneering health and wellness strategies as the first nutritionist for Starbucks, Katie Thomson became a mom and noticed a glaring problem in the baby food aisle. The market was dominated by fruit-heavy pouches that lacked balanced nutrition, prompting her to create a fresh, science-led solution for parents. ------------------ In this episode of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Katie Thomson, co-founder and CEO of Square Baby. Katie shares her journey from corporate nutrition to launching a national direct-to-consumer baby food brand. She explains the mechanics of developing veggie-forward meals that meet USDA guidelines and how offering an early allergen introduction menu can help prevent severe food allergies. Listen to learn: ☕ How Katie transitioned from Starbucks' first dietitian to a baby food entrepreneur  🥦 The science behind creating meals with half the sugar and twice the protein of most pouches  🥜 Why introducing the top eight allergens early is critical for food allergy prevention  🏆 The rigorous process of testing for heavy metals and earning the Clean Label Project Purity Award  📦 Navigating the logistics of sustainable packaging and nationwide frozen delivery Whether you are launching a direct-to-consumer brand or looking to disrupt an established industry, Katie breaks down the exact plays needed to build a purpose-driven and predictable revenue engine. Learn more about Square Baby: 🌐 https://squarebaby.com/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #babyfood #nutrition #entrepreneurship #squarebaby #earlyallergenintroduction #directtoconsumer #innovation #sustainablepackaging  Support the show

    52 min

  2. APR 28

    Ep 53 - The Role of AI and Data Analytics in Modern Hospitality Strategy

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! The hospitality industry is experiencing a massive evolution, and navigating the post pandemic landscape requires an entirely new playbook. ------------------ In Episode 53 of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Seth Alexander from Barrel Aged Management. Seth shares deep insights into how the hospitality sector is adapting to shifting margins and a transformed talent pool. He explores the mechanics of using food and beverage as the heartbeat of hotel development and reveals how artificial intelligence is changing the way operators target and serve their guests. Listen to learn: 🛎️ How the pandemic permanently reshaped the hospitality talent pool  🍽️ Why food and beverage programs act as the development heartbeat for modern hotels  📊 Strategies for adapting financial formulas and profit margins in a shifting market  🎯 The critical importance of precise market targeting and anticipating guest needs  🤖 How artificial intelligence and data analytics are revolutionizing hotel operations and strategy Whether you manage a single boutique property or oversee a portfolio of hotels, Seth breaks down the exact plays needed to build a resilient and predictable revenue engine. Learn more about Barrel Aged Management 🌐https://www.barrelagedmgmt.com/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #hospitality #hotelmanagement #artificialintelligence #foodandbeverage #hospitalitystrategy #hoteldevelopment Support the show

    50 min

  3. APR 21

    Ep 52 - The True Cost of Cheap Food and the Rise of Sustainable Agriculture

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! After a successful career in luxury automotive marketing, Sean Lenihan experienced a life-changing shift when he started researching the food he was feeding his family. His quest for clean, 100% grass-fed meat led him to launch his own e-commerce business and redefine transparency in the food industry. ------------------ In Episode 52 of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Sean Lenihan, founder of The Honest Bison. Sean shares his incredible journey from marketing luxury cars to navigating the complex world of sustainable agriculture. He breaks down the mechanics of building a trust-first e-commerce brand and shares the exact logistics required to successfully ship frozen, perishable goods nationwide. Listen to learn: 🚗 How Sean pivoted from luxury marketing to launching a premium, sustainable meat company 🧊 The operational playbook for overcoming the complexities of shipping perishable goods on dry ice 🤝 Why building a "100-year brand" requires an uncompromising commitment to trust and transparency 🥩 The cultural shift toward "food as medicine" and what it means for the future of agriculture 📈 How to leverage digital marketing and branding to build a loyal e-commerce customer base Whether you are launching a direct-to-consumer brand or looking to optimize a complex supply chain, Sean breaks down the exact plays needed to build a predictable revenue engine. Learn more about The Honest Bison 🌐 https://www.thehonestbison.com/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #sustainableagriculture #foodasmedicine #ecommerce #supplychain #foodindustry #thehonestbison #entrepreneurship  Support the show

    47 min

  4. APR 15

    Ep 51 - Why Pausing Your Retail Brokers is Sometimes Necessary to Scale a Food Brand

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! After spending eight years climbing the ranks from account rep to president, Denise Ramon made the ultimate leap and bought the company. Her strategic vision involves scaling the brand through direct retail relationships and an unwavering commitment to clean-label ingredients. ------------------ In this episode of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Denise Ramon, owner of 2 Sisters' Salsa Co. Denise shares her unique journey of acquiring an established CPG brand and the hard-won lessons she learned while scaling it in major retailers. She explains the mechanics of temporarily pausing retail brokers to master the grocery business firsthand and build direct relationships with category buyers. Listen to learn: 🛒 What transitioning from an employee to buying and scaling an established CPG brand looks like 🤝 How putting retail brokers on pause helped them master the grocery business 🚫 The costly mistake of bypassing a category manager and getting banned from a store 📉 The importance of closely monitoring purchase orders to prevent warehouse chargebacks 🍅 How clean-label ingredients and in-store promotions stand out in a crowded premium salsa market Whether you are trying to break into your first grocery store or looking to optimize an existing retail strategy, Denise breaks down the exact plays needed to build a predictable revenue engine. Learn more about 2 Sisters’ Salsa: 🌐 www.2sisterssalsa.com 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #cpg #foodbusiness #retailstrategy #entrepreneurship #salsa #brandbuilding #supplychain Support the show

    37 min

  5. APR 7

    Ep 50 - How Starting Over at Age 50 Led to a Globally Recognized Wine Tourism Brand

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! After a twenty-year career as an international civil servant, Cynthia Coutu faced an unexpected career crossroads at age fifty. Her solution involved pursuing her passion for wine, getting her certification, and building a boutique wine tourism company. ------------------ In this episode of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Cynthia Coutu, founder of Delectabulles. Cynthia shares her journey from moving to Paris for an art history degree to launching a champagne networking club. She explains the mechanics of transitioning into a highly scalable, audience-based wine tourism model. Listen to learn: 🍷 How a passion for wine and cheese turned into a specialization in champagne. 🥂 Why exclusively serving champagnes made by women sets Delectabulles apart. 🧘‍♀️ How bringing in activities like yoga and playing pétanque drives innovative educational events. 💻 The shift from a digital communications background to hosting online champagne tastings during the pandemic. 📈 The operational blueprint for listening to your audience to build a customer-centric business. Whether you operate a new venture or want to scale an existing brand, Cynthia breaks down the exact plays needed to build a purposeful and predictable revenue engine. Learn more about Delectabulles: 🌐 https://www.delectabulles.com/en/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #foodtruck #stadiumonwheels #cateringbusiness #franchising #entrepreneurship #businessstrategy #foodbusiness #phoenixaz #scalingbusiness #foodandbeverage Support the show

    26 min

  6. MAR 31

    Ep 49 - The Strategic Relocation and Rebrand That Saved a Mobile Food Business

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! When the pandemic hit, Steven Guistolise’s Chicagoland food trailer faced an existential crisis. His solution involved moving across the country, rebranding, and building a franchise. ------------------ In this episode of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Steven Guistolise, founder of Stadium on Wheels. Steven shares his journey from starting a humble food trailer in 2019 to navigating a massive strategic relocation to Phoenix, Arizona. He explains the mechanics of moving away from unpredictable street traffic and transitioning to a highly scalable, event-based catering model. Listen to learn: 🚚 How moving to a new market saved and transformed a struggling food trailer ⚾ Why serving "stadium style" full meals sets them apart from typical food trucks 🤝 How giving 10% of sales back to youth leagues drives guaranteed event bookings 🌭 The shift from chasing foot traffic to an innovative event-based catering model 📈 The operational blueprint for franchising a mobile food concept Whether you operate a single mobile unit or want to scale a food concept nationally, Steven breaks down the exact plays needed to build a predictable revenue engine. Learn more about Delectabulles: 🌐 https://www.delectabulles.com/en/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #foodtruck #stadiumonwheels #cateringbusiness #franchising #entrepreneurship #businessstrategy #foodbusiness #phoenixaz #scalingbusiness #foodandbeverage Support the show

    38 min

  7. MAR 24

    Ep 48 - Why 40 Banks Rejected Oakwell Beer Spa - And How the Founders Built a Successful Brand Anyway

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! Pitching a totally unproven, first-to-market concept is the hardest way to get a business loan. Jessica and Damien Zouaoui pitched 40 banks, and all of them said no. ------------------ In this episode of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, co-founders of Oakwell Beer Spa. After quitting their corporate jobs in NYC and traveling the world, they returned with a radical idea to combine craft beer culture with high-end wellness. They share the gritty reality of funding an unproven business, why they Americanized the European communal spa model, and how they scaled to 100% occupancy. Listen to learn: 🛑 How to find alternative funding when traditional banks refuse to lend you capital 🛁 Why replacing communal baths with private suites unlocked the American market 📈 The hidden unit economics that make private suites account for 90% of their revenue 🍺 How to use a self-pour taproom to create a highly profitable F&B component 🤝 The strategic reason they chose to franchise rather than open corporate-owned locations 💰 Why requiring a local ad spend is critical for holding franchisees accountable 🧠 Why banning discounts and focusing on absolute hospitality creates better long-term loyalty Whether you are trying to fund a wild new idea or looking for the playbook on how to franchise a brick-and-mortar hospitality business, this episode breaks down exactly how to scale. Learn more about Oakwell Beer Spa: 🌐 https://oakwell.com/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #oakwellbeerspa #businessfunding #hospitality #franchising #entrepreneurship #denverbusiness #dayspa #bootstrapping #scalingbusiness #wellnessindustry #startupstory Support the show

    45 min

  8. MAR 2

    Ep 47 - Scaling IQBAR: Why Will Nitze Prioritizes Logistics Over Hype

    Send us Fan Mail 🔔 Subscribe to this channel for exclusive content and updates! Building a massive food brand requires an intense focus on supply chain and operational excellence. ------------------ In this episode of Recipe to Revenue, host Leah Messina talks with Will Nitze, founder and CEO of IQBAR. Will shares how he went from selling software to building an omnichannel nutrition bar company with zero industry experience. He explains why obsessing over logistics and unit economics unlocks the volume needed to win in mass-market retail. Listen to learn: 🧠 How Will transitioned from software sales to launching a brain-food nutrition bar 🚀 Using Kickstarter to fund the first 30,000-unit factory production run 🏭 Surviving a disastrous 250,000-bar order that nearly broke the supply chain 💻 Launching on Amazon to capture existing grocery shoppers 📉 Surviving the painful lessons of an early national drugstore rollout 🤝 Empowering a flat organizational structure for faster decision-making ⚙️ Why great operations unlock the pricing power needed for massive volume Whether you’re blending ingredients in your kitchen or preparing for an exit, Will offers a realistic, gritty look at what it actually takes to build a modern food brand. Learn more about IQBAR: 🌐 https://www.eatiqbar.com/ 🚀 Learn More About Our Sponsors: Intercontinental Beverage Capital: https://inbevcapital.com/ Sinuate Media: https://sinuatemedia.com/ #recipetorevenue #cpg #iqbar #businessstrategy #operations #supplychain #entrepreneurship #foodbusiness #retailstrategy #amazonfba #kickstarter #scalingbusiness #foodandbeverage #startupstory Support the show

    43 min
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4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Recipe for Revenue is your go-to show for the latest in food and beverage business and marketing, brought to you by Sinuate Media and Intercontinental Beverage Capital. Join us as we dive deep into the secrets behind successful food, beverage, and spirits brands, featuring interviews with industry leaders who share the key ingredients that have driven their businesses to success. Whether you're in the industry or just curious, this show offers valuable insights into what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of food and beverage. Tune in and discover the recipe for revenue!

Information

  • Creator
    Leah Messina | Sinuate Media
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sinuate Media, LLC
  • Show Website
    Recipe to Revenue