The Good Food CFO Podcast
Food Industry Finances are unique, and no one understands them better than The Good Food CFO.
New Episodes Weekly
Episode 81 :: But First, Know Thyself with Katie Mleziva
When it comes to building a business, it can be tempting to skip to the tactical work that feels like action, but we really need to make sure we get a few foundational pieces of strategy in place first to get all those tactical decisions optimized and working together as part of an integrated plan so have the ability to be proactive and cohesive vs feeling like things are disjointed.
In this episode, we are taking a step back and doing just that. Sarah is joined by Katie Mleziva, a Food Brand Strategist with over 20 years of experience in Brand & Marketing Strategy. Katie walks us through her step by step process to develop a brand strategy that is authentic to you and your business and will connect to your audience.
Episode 80 :: We Need to Talk About Money
We are kicking off Season 8 of the podcast with a run down of the changes that are happening this season. You’ll meet our show producer, Chelsea Stier, as she and Sarah share all that we have in store for you.
Then, you’ll hear the conversation that has been on Sarah’s mind since August. It all started on a birthday road trip, while overhearing many frank conversations about money. Sarah asks the questions that came up for her after noticing an interesting pattern.
Episode 79 :: The Path to Prophitability with Percy Swint
As a Food Founder, knowing your costs is the first and most important step you can take toward profitability. Having a tool that helps guide that work will make your life easier, and give you the confidence that you are on the right track. In this episode, Sarah talks with Percy Swint, founder and designer of Prophit App.
In November 2022, Percy launched Prophit, and he’s on the podcast today to share the evolution from spreadsheet to online tool, how it works, and how it can impact founders across the good food industry.
Episode 78 :: Planning for You Most Profitable Q4 Yet!
Q4 and the Holiday season bring with them HUGE opportunities for sales and top line revenue. But without the proper planning, sales don’t always translate to profits. Q4 planning includes having a strategy for not only your sales, but also production, labor and shipping! In this episode, Sarah is taking the stress out of creating your Q4 plan! And she’s offering up all the free and low cost resources available to make it even easier.
Episode 77 :: Putting Yourself First with Bree & Michaela Fuller
In this Building a Business on Your Own Terms episode, Sarah is joined by Bree & Michaela Fuller. Bree and Michaela are Seattle natives who have been paving their career paths with a mission to lead a purpose-driven and passion-filled life. The sisters currently own three businesses: Fuller Nutri-Fuel, a Seattle-based meal prep company; Table & Tines, a full-service catering company; and they co-host the PAVED Podcast. Not only are they super passionate about their brands, but they are equally passionate about self-care, which is at the core of everything they are doing.
Episode 76 :: How to Build an Effective Broker Partnership with Paul Christian
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Paul Christian. Paul is an industry veteran with over thirty years of experience working with powerhouse companies like Hormel, Coca-Cola, Unilever Ice Cream, and Smuckers.
When you are ready to grow your food business beyond your backyard, you may seek the support of a broker. And how you build that relationship can make or break your business. Paul is sharing all that knowledge and experience in this conversation all about building an effective and successful partnership with a broker.
Episode 75 :: The True Cost of Food
In this episode, we’ve invited individuals from throughout the food industry for a discussion about the true cost of food. Sarah is joined by food industry members from up and down the supply chain as they start to crack open the layers and consider all of the costs (financial and otherwise) that create the food system that we work within today, and discuss the changes that could benefit producers and consumers.
Episode 74 :: Popcorn and the Power of Letting Go with Chauniqua Major
In this Building a Business on Your Own Terms episode, Sarah is joined by Chauniqua Major, affectionately known as Major. Major is a dynamic creative based in Orlando, Florida. Her unwavering commitment to doing good work powers her to achieve remarkable feats in her community. She is the founder of Whatever’s Good, a PR and marketing shop, and the Chief Snack Officer of Major's Project Pop, an award-winning popcorn company that ships nationwide.
This conversation covers everything from Major’s indirect path into the world of Food CPG to when she realized she would have to change her mindset around what success looks like.
Episode 73 :: Disrupting Transportation with Cat Turner
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Cat Turner, Founder of CZero. Cat is an entrepreneur, software engineer, and scientist who is passionate about using technology to empower people and solve hard problems. CZero is a company that’s providing a solution for CPG brands to distribute their products without the need to have warehouses or transportation facilities. And with their platform, brands can now have access to carbon accounting, enabling them to shift towards eco-friendly logistics and achieve carbon neutrality.