In this engaging hour-long conversation, I sit down with Justin Freeman, consultant and founder of Juniper Rim Partners, to explore the critical topics facing today’s food industry leaders and founder-led companies. Our discussion covers essential themes for scaling food brands, including consulting best practices, navigating complex team dynamics, setting healthy boundaries in professional settings, and building resilience for long-term success. …
The Biggest Fallacy I See Every Day: “I Just Need a Co-Man.”
If I had a dollar for every email that starts with “I have a recipe and all I need is a co-man,” I could probably fund a few startups myself. Here’s the truth most founders don’t realize: Finding a contract manufacturer isn’t where your journey begins — it’s where it ends. It’s the result of months of preparation, validation, and …
Why You Can’t Rely on the Line Lead to “Figure It Out”
Last week I was back on the factory floor working on scale-up projects for two clients. These are the weeks I love most, when the ideas and spreadsheets finally meet reality. Seeing the product run through the line and watching a concept come to life never gets old. During one of these runs, a client had made some recipe changes …