Why Most Beverage Brands Fail (And What These Founders Did Differently)

Why Most Beverage Brands Fail (And What These Founders Did Differently)

Why do most beverage brands fail? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Larkai and Monte Burrow, founders of Blackleaf Organic Vodka, to break down what it actually takes to build a brand in one of the most competitive categories in CPG. This isn’t a highlight reel. We get into: *  The biggest mistakes they made early on  *  Why great products don’t sell themselves  *  What “entrepreneurship is a contact sport” really means  *  How they bet on organic before it was trending  *  The difference between storytelling and building real systems  *  What they learned going from corporate (Diageo) to startup  If you’re a founder, operator, or thinking about launching a brand—this episode is a real look at what it takes to survive and scale. Key Takeaways *  Most brands fail because they don’t stay close to the customer  *  Product alone is never enough  *  Organic isn’t a trend—it’s a long-term belief system  *  Systems and execution matter just as much as story  Connect with the Guests Kevin Larkai [https://www.linkedin.com/in/klarkai/] Monte Burrow [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/monteburrow/] Blackleaf Organic Vodka  [https://www.blackleafvodka.co/en/]

Beyond the Baseball Diamond - with Justin & Kourtney Turner

In this episode, Jason Burke sits down with MLB All-Star Justin Turner and Kourtney Turner to talk about life outside of baseball, building businesses, investing with intention, and using your platform to create meaningful impact. This isn’t just a conversation about sports. It’s about identity. Justin and Kourtney share what it’s really like to move from professional athletics into entrepreneurship and investing—where success isn’t guaranteed, and learning requires humility, curiosity, and a willingness to start from zero. They break down how they approach investing, what they look for in founders, and why authenticity is the ultimate filter when choosing partnerships. For them, it’s not just about the product—it’s about the people behind it. We also dive into the importance of support systems, how they balance roles as partners in both business and life, and why resilience is the common thread across sports, entrepreneurship, and investing. Beyond business, Justin and Kourtney discuss the work they’re doing through the Justin Turner Foundation, supporting children battling serious illness and homeless veterans. Their commitment to community impact highlights a bigger perspective on success—one that goes beyond financial returns. We also touch on their podcast, Holding Kourt, and how they’re using it as a platform to share their journey and connect with others navigating similar paths. Key topics include:  • Why identity shouldn’t be tied to one career  • Investing in people over products  • The role of authenticity in partnerships  • Building strong support systems  • Balancing business and personal relationships  • The importance of resilience in high-performance environments  • Using your platform for community impact Whether you’re an athlete, founder, investor, or someone navigating your next chapter, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about what you’ve done—it’s about what you build next. 🎧 Listen now and hear how Justin and Kourtney Turner are creating impact in the game and beyond.

Navigating Deductions with Komal Devjani

Retail deductions are one of the biggest hidden profit drains in CPG. In this episode, Jason Burke sits down with Komal Devjani to break down deductions management, revenue recovery, chargebacks, trade spend disputes, and how brands can improve cash flow through better financial processes. Learn common mistakes founders make, how to distinguish valid vs. disputable deductions, why remittance statements matter, and how technology solutions like Revya.ai help automate recovery and operational efficiency. If you’re a CPG founder, finance leader, or operator looking to protect margins and scale responsibly, this episode is a must-listen.

Real Talk on CPG Entrepreneurship with Sam Nebel of Good Wipes

In this conversation, I sit down with Sam Nebel, co-founder of Good Wipes, to unpack his journey from identifying a simple everyday need to building a bold, disruptive CPG brand. Sam opens up about the realities of fundraising, the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and the long-term mindset required to grow a consumer product company. His candid stories and practical insights make this a must-listen for anyone navigating (or dreaming about) the world of startups. We talk about: * How a personal need sparked the idea behind Good Wipes * Why building a CPG brand requires patience, resilience, and a long game * The truth about fundraising—timelines, myths, and what founders should expect * How to approach investor relationships as true partnerships * Why early wins matter and how to celebrate them * Navigating rejection and staying grounded in your mission * The power of field marketing and unexpected opportunities * When founders should actually start fundraising If you're an aspiring founder, a CPG enthusiast, or simply curious about what it takes to grow a brand from the ground up, this episode is for you.

The Hard Truths of Fundraising Every Founder Needs to Hear (Melissa Facchina)

In this episode, I sit down with investor and CPG veteran Melissa Facchina to explore her path from working in her dad's juice manufacturing business to founding Siddhi Capital and becoming a leading voice in the consumer packaged goods space. Melissa shares how hands-on operational experience shaped her investing philosophy and why strong founder–investor relationships matter more than ever. We talk about: * Melissa’s early start in the juice industry and transition from consulting to investing * Why she launched Siddhi Capital to bring real operational support to emerging brands * The shift from “growth at all costs” to building resilient, durable businesses * Challenges and opportunities in today’s competitive beverage market * Trends like keto and plant-based—and why product quality can make or break them * How investors must be willing to admit when they don't have the answers and collaborate with entrepreneurs Whether you’re a founder, investor, or CPG enthusiast, you’ll walk away with practical insights on navigating today’s evolving consumer landscape.