The Firebelly Social Show Firebelly Marketing

Bryon White is the Co-founder and CEO of Yaupon Brothers, a leading CPG firm focused on producing high-quality Yaupon teas grown in America. With over a decade of experience in the CPG industry, indigenous food systems, and native agriculture, he has become an expert in social enterprise and cultural aspects. Bryon also serves as a Venture Builder at Builders + Backers, a Director of Regenerative Agriculture at Eagle's Nest Farms, and a Strategic Advisor at Digiphy. His extensive experience and expertise make him a valuable asset to various business communities.
In this episode… Have you ever heard of yaupon tea? Not only is it a delicious and healthy alternative to coffee and traditional teas, but it's also sustainable and environmentally friendly.
CPG and regenerative expert Bryon White says yaupon tea, the only caffeinated plant native to North America, is a unique and delicious beverage gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers. This tea comes from the leaves of the yaupon holly tree, which grows abundantly in the southeastern United States. With its rich history, natural caffeine content, and earthy flavor profile, yaupon tea is the perfect beverage for anyone looking to switch up their caffeine routine. He shares their journey growing a yaupon tea CPG brand. 
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Bryon White, Co-founder and CEO of Yaupon Brothers, about growing a Yaupon tea brand. Bryon talks about the genesis of the Yaupon Brothers, how the Yaupon plant differs from other caffeinated plants, the benefits of consuming Yaupon tea, and the challenges of growing a food and beverage (CPG) brand.

Scott Rice is the Co-founder and President of Natural Careers, a boutique recruiter and career transition specialist focused on the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Natural Careers works with health/well-being food and beverage, dietary supplement, and ingredient companies, founder-owned and portfolio investments of many private equity groups ranging from one million to over a billion dollars. 
Before Natural Careers, Scott was the VP of Business Development at Global Recruiters of Madison, a top-performing recruiting team in CPG focusing on the natural products industry. He has over a decade of experience in the recruitment industry.
In this episode… Career transitioning or development is crucial in any industry, and the consumer packaged goods (CPG) natural products industry is no exception. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, how can professionals continuously develop their skills and knowledge to stay competitive? And how can brands recruit top talent to grow? 
As a job seeker, it is vital to understand the recruitment process and how to position yourself as a strong candidate. According to Scott Rice, an executive recruiter, this can include tailoring your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, preparing for interviews, and building a robust online presence. On the flip side, Scott says that, as a recruiter, it is fundamental to deeply understand the industry and the specific skills and experiences required for each role. He shares how he's built a recruitment agency to help job seekers and companies find the right fit and achieve their goals.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Scott Rice, Co-founder and President of Natural Careers, about career development, transition, and recruitment. Scott talks about the genesis of Natural Careers and what it does, LinkedIn optimization tips and premium features, career development through storytelling, entrepreneurship in the CPG industry, and the importance of asking the right questions during job interviews.

Emanuel Storch is the CEO of Blackbird Foods, a plant-based food company providing vegan seitan, frozen pizza, and plant-based meat to retail and wholesale customers. Under his visionary leadership, Blackbird Foods has successfully expanded its operations to over 3000 stores and 350 restaurants. Before his current role, Emanuel was in charge of overseeing operations at Simply Gum. He is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship, sustainable food, and agriculture and has shown a remarkable ability to leverage his expertise in these areas to drive business growth and profitability.
In this episode… Veganism is rapidly gaining popularity, and the demand for plant-based alternatives is also increasing. Growing a business in this space could be lucrative. So, what can you learn from an experienced entrepreneur in this space? 
The market for plant-based meat alternatives is rapidly growing as consumers opt for sustainable and healthy options. Emanuel Storch, a leader in the food and beverage space, says that one of the most popular substitutes for meat is seitan, a protein-rich meat substitute made from wheat gluten. Seitan has become a favorite among vegans for its versatility, ease of use, and delicious taste. He shares his journey of growing a plant-based food company producing seitan, frozen pizza, and plant-based meat.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Emanuel Storch, CEO of Blackbird Foods, about building a plant-based food company. Emanuel shares the origin story of Blackbird Foods, how it differentiates itself in the market, lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey, and recommendations for producing quality food products as founders.

Trey Lockerbie is the Co-founder and CEO of Better Booch, a premium single-batch kombucha brewed, bottled, and canned in downtown Los Angeles. He has been a musician traveling the world who prioritizes health and wellness. Trey is also a CNBC contributor and a member of Vistage Worldwide, Inc., the world’s largest executive coaching and peer advisory organization, bringing together leaders to learn and grow. He was also the host of We Study Billionaires, the #1 investing podcast in the world, with over 115 million downloads. Growing Better Booch to $7 million in revenue before accepting external investment showcases his business acumen.
In this episode… Recently, consumer awareness regarding the food and beverages consumed has markedly increased. In the beverage space, this trend has led to a shift in preference from alcoholic drinks to more healthful options. Among the popular alternatives is kombucha, a fermented tea with purported health benefits. However, many brands struggle to balance kombucha's taste and health components, leaving consumers with unsatisfactory options.
Trey Lockerbie, an experienced professional in the beverage industry, embarked on a mission to find healthy beverage options for himself and his sister after her diagnosis of breast cancer. He discovered kombucha, a popular alternative with potential health benefits, yet found its taste and nutritional value lacking in the market. This led him to create his brand of kombucha that offered a refreshing and nutritious beverage option. With his mission to provide a tasty and healthy alternative to sugary drinks, Trey shares his journey building his kombucha brand. 
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Trey Lockerbie, Co-founder and CEO of Better Booch, about kombucha. Trey discusses how he transitioned from music into the kombucha industry, the genesis story of Better Booch and its products, how it differentiates itself in the market, and the future of functional beverages and kombucha.

Chris Allen is the Co-founder of Osena Spiked Coconut Water, a beverage brand that creates better-for-you alcohol options. Osena drinks are made with coconut water, naturally occurring electrolytes, 100 calories, and zero sugar for the health-conscious fun seeker. A serial entrepreneur passionate about human health, Chris’ expertise spans food and beverage, wellness, health technology, biotechnology, and retail. Before founding Osena, he spent five years in the corporate finance program at Johnson & Johnson. With an MBA from The Wharton School, Chris’ roots are deeply entrenched in commercial strategy.
In this episode… With the rise of health consciousness, people are more cautious about what they consume. For those who love to have fun but are still mindful of their health, where can they get a healthy and enjoyable alcoholic option? 
After struggling to find a healthy alcoholic beverage to enjoy, serial entrepreneur Chris Allen embarked on a journey to create the perfect solution. He combined the health benefits of coconut water with a touch of alcohol to create spiked coconut water that people can indulge in without guilt. He shares his journey building this brand so that people can now have the best of both worlds — relish their favorite alcoholic drink without compromising on their health.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Chris Allen, Co-founder of Osena Spiked Coconut Water, about sugar-free Spiked coconut water. Chris talks about his transition from corporate finance to the beverage space, the benefits of coconut water, Osena’s alcoholic coconut water with functional benefits, and the brand’s marketing and branding strategies.

Nick Brune is the Owner and CEO of Eco Caters, an organic event catering company that has been delighting clients in Washington DC., L.A., and San Diego for over 10 years. As a chef passionate about flavor and design, he served as a head chef at some of the city's premier catering establishments. Nick has a profound affection for organic farming, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainable seafood. He is also the owner of Virtual F&B, Virtual Kitchen Assistant, and 7 Figure Food & Beverage and partner of The Florida Oyster Trading Company.
In this episode… As consumers, we have the power to make a difference by choosing sustainable food options and supporting businesses that share our values. It contributes to a healthier and greener planet.
According to Chef Nick Brune, food sustainability is not just a buzzword; it's a critical issue affecting our planet, health, and economy. From reducing food waste to promoting local agriculture and sourcing organic ingredients, individuals can support sustainable food practices in numerous ways. He shares how he's grown an organic event catering company, providing a unique and memorable culinary experience, teaching others, and making a difference while doing what he loves.
On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Nick Brune, Owner and CEO of Eco Caters, about the future of food. Nick talks about his partnership with The Florida Oyster Trading Company and the benefits of consuming oysters, how he grew his catering business, sustainability in the food industry with a focus on locality and supply chain, and self-care and mental health in the culinary industry.