Jimbo Someck, the founder of natural grocery chain Jimbo’s, chronicled the origins of his interest in organic food and retail, how he and his team evaluate novel ideas and products, and how he leverages his influence to promote values that he is passionate about, including regenerative agriculture.
The hosts discussed a planned merger between upscale corner store retailers Foxtrot Market and Dom s Kitchen & Market, munched on international snack brands and recalled a time when BevNET briefly entered the bar business.
Maya Kaimal, the founder and Chief Culinary and Creative Officer of Maya Kaimal Foods, a groundbreaking brand of Indian-inspired sauces, condiments and ready-to-eat dishes, spoke about how her company operates and innovates at the intersection of data, trends and retailer needs, aligning with an investor that could support her vision; and what she’s learned about hiring the right – and wrong – people.
Cy Cain, the co-founder and CEO of Straightway Cocktails, an award-winning brand of super-premium bottled and canned cocktails, explained how years of preparation gave the company a strong foundation on which to build, why passion and opportunity equally drive the business forward and how he assesses a broader opportunity to reach consumers in other beverage alcohol categories.
Chris Hunter, the co-founder and CEO of plant-based beverage brand Koia, spoke about the importance of setting goals both in his personal life and in business, lessons from an aggressive retail strategy early into the brand’s development, why self-manufacturing is the key to profitability and the company’s future, and how to optimize the roles of celebrity partners.