Meli Beer: A Fresh Take on Brewing with special guest Mario Bencivenni

Meli Beer: A Fresh Take on Brewing with special guest Mario Bencivenni

Can beer be healthier without sacrificing great taste? On this episode of Sippin' & Selling, Joey Chanel welcomes Samara Oster, founder of Meli Beer, alongside returning guest Mario Bencivenni of Frank's Beverage, for a fascinating conversation about disrupting one of the world's oldest industries. Samara shares how a trip to Peru inspired the idea for America's first quinoa beer, how she teamed up with MIT food scientists to bring the product to life, and what it's really like building a beverage brand from scratch. The conversation dives into entrepreneurship, beer distribution, branding, retail expansion, and the growing demand for better-for-you alcoholic beverages. In this episode: * The origin story behind Meli Beer * How quinoa became the foundation for a new beer category * Building a beverage company with MIT scientists * What it takes to launch a beer brand * Breaking into Whole Foods and Trader Joe's * Beer distribution explained * Marketing a startup beverage company * The future of gluten-free and better-for-you beer * Female entrepreneurship in the beverage industry * Advice for growing a national alcohol brand Whether you're an entrepreneur, beverage professional, beer enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of better-for-you drinks, this episode is packed with valuable business insights and industry knowledge. Guest: Samara Oster – Founder, Meli Beer Special Guest: Mario Bencivenni – Frank's Beverage

What Buyers, Distributors & Brands need to Know

On this episode of Sippin' and Selling, Joey Chanel sits down with Sara Harmelin, Vice President of Portfolio Development at Allied Beverage Group and fourth-generation family owner, for an inside look at one of the nation's largest beverage distributors. Sara shares her incredible career journey from working in Hollywood television and the fashion industry to joining her family's billion-dollar beverage business. Together, they discuss the challenges of working alongside family, the evolution of alcohol distribution, the rise of THC beverages, and what the future holds for the beverage industry. The conversation explores: * Building a career in a fourth-generation family business * From Hollywood and fashion to beverage distribution * The history of Allied Beverage Group * How alcohol distribution really works * The explosion of THC and hemp-derived beverages * Why regulation matters for the industry * Non-alcoholic trends and changing consumer habits * The future of spirits, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails * Brand building and portfolio development * Women in the beverage industry * Favorite emerging brands and industry predictions * Funny behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood and television Sara also shares stories from her time working in entertainment during the early days of FX, discusses iconic brands like Juicy Couture, reflects on the changing retail landscape, and reveals why innovation is essential for staying ahead in today's beverage market. Whether you're in the beverage industry, interested in entrepreneurship, fascinated by family businesses, or curious about where alcohol and alternative beverages are headed, this episode is packed with valuable insights, business lessons, and entertaining stories you won't want to miss.

The Female Founder Behind Voli 305 Vodka

On this episode of Sippin’ and Selling, Joey Chanel sits down with Priscilla Perez, co-owner of Voli 305 Vodka and longtime business partner of global superstar Pitbull, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, branding, and building a nationally recognized spirits company. Priscilla shares the incredible story of how a friendship that began in Miami decades ago evolved into a thriving business partnership. From helping introduce Pitbull's early music to industry influencers, to acquiring and rebranding Voli Vodka, she discusses the challenges, lessons, and determination required to succeed in the highly competitive spirits industry. The conversation dives into: * The origins of Voli 305 Vodka * Priscilla's friendship and business relationship with Pitbull * Building a brand from the ground up * Women in the spirits and beverage industry * Entrepreneurship and overcoming obstacles * The Hialeah Hustle mindset * Launching new ready-to-drink cocktails * Expanding into tequila, wine, and new product lines * Acquiring and building a Miami distillery * The future of Voli 305 * Partnerships with Hard Rock, Flanigan's, Margaritaville, and more * Community impact through education, philanthropy, and animal rescue initiatives Priscilla also reveals exciting news about Voli's continued expansion, discusses the importance of staying authentic in business, and explains why Miami remains at the heart of everything the brand does. This episode is packed with entrepreneurial wisdom, behind-the-scenes stories, leadership lessons, and motivation for anyone looking to build something meaningful from the ground up. Whether you're interested in business, branding, spirits, sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, or the story behind one of Miami's fastest-growing beverage brands, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Sippin & Vibin'

On this episode of Sippin and Selling, Joey Chanel welcomes fellow podcaster Caz from the Can I Vibe With Y’all Podcast for a fun, honest, and insightful conversation about podcasting, entrepreneurship, branding, music, and the work it takes to build a loyal audience. Caz shares his journey from working at Total Wine and exploring different career paths to creating a successful podcast platform that has connected with listeners across the country. Joey opens up about growing up in a third-generation liquor family, building her own beverage brands, and creating Sippin and Selling as a platform to spotlight entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry professionals. In this episode, they discuss: * The reality of starting and growing a podcast * Why consistency matters more than going viral * Building a brand and authentic audience * Content creation and social media strategy * The wine and spirits industry * Entrepreneurship and personal growth * Music, reggaeton, and podcast culture * Behind-the-scenes challenges of podcast production * Creating meaningful conversations that resonate Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, podcaster, or simply someone chasing a dream, this episode delivers valuable lessons, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in and discover why authenticity, consistency, and community are the keys to long-term success.

From family legacy to Chinola CEO

On this episode of Sippin' and Selling, Joey Chanel sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and Chinola CEO/Co-Founder Andrew Merinoff for an inside look at the realities of building brands in the beverage industry. Andrew shares the incredible story behind Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs, from the original passion fruit recipe in a Poland Spring bottle to the launch of Mango and Pineapple, the challenges of product development, and the lessons learned from scaling a fast-growing brand. The conversation dives into family legacy, growing up in one of America's largest wine and spirits distribution families, launching ventures through Dispact Ventures, investing in brands like Long Drink, building Great Jones Distilling Co. in New York City, and what it really takes to create a brand with staying power. Topics include: * The origin story of Chinola * Building a fresh fruit liqueur category * Lessons from product failures and retail challenges * The future of the spirits industry * Celebrity-backed brands that actually work * Venture investing and entrepreneurship * Family business and generational success * Hospitality, relationships, and brand building * Exclusive details on Chinola's upcoming Guava release Whether you're a founder, beverage professional, entrepreneur, or simply a fan of great stories, this episode is packed with valuable insights and behind-the-scenes industry knowledge. #SippinAndSelling #JoeyChanel #AndrewMarinoff #Chinola #SpiritsIndustry #Entrepreneurship #BrandBuilding #Hospitality #LongDrink #GreatJonesDistilling #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #FreshFruitLiqueur #WineAndSpirits #FounderJourney