Join Hayden Thomson as he hosts The Pack Heavy Podcast, a must-listen show for business owners and operators competing in the CPG and food processing industries. Featuring insightful interviews with industry leaders and special guests, this podcast shares valuable knowledge on the challenges, failures and successful strategies that have shaped their businesses. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, tune in weekly to help prioritize what matters most and take your business to the next level.
Episodes
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
During today's episode Kailey and I discuss:
- The Nona Vegan startup story & journey over the last 10yrs
- Early demo days
- Co Packer onboarding insights >> Sign clear contracts & hire a contract lawyer
- Brand & packaging evolution >> The value of flexible packaging vs glass jars
- Funding & growth strategy >> Visit Nona’s FrontFundr Campaign here
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Founded in 2013 and located in Toronto, ON - NONA Vegan sells three cashew-based sauces: Alfredo, Cheesy and Carbonara, as well as two tomato and oat-based sauces: Rosée and Bolognese - all of which are packaged up in the most beautifully branded custom shaped stand up pouches.
Kailey’s delicious sauces can be found in well over 400 stores across Canada (including Whole Foods and Sobeys), and over 300 stores in the US.
With a FrontFundr campaign well underway offering investment opportunities for their next stage of growth - more exciting times are definitely on the horizon!
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Find Nona Vegan here:
- Web: https://nonavegan.com/
- IG: @nonavegan
- Email: kailey@nonavegan.com
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👉 Check out this episode & leave a review on the following platforms :
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Fb2hC3
- Apple: https://apple.co/3uyFrzC
- Amazon: https://bit.ly/3Fxz99C
- Podbean: https://bit.ly/3hbBPAn
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak
👉 If you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Saturday Dec 17, 2022
Saturday Dec 17, 2022
During today's episode Brittany and I discuss:
- The Ohh! Foods startup story
- Implemented market research strategy
- 16 Personalities test to determine individual strengths and weaknesses and enhance team dynamic
- Winning Startup Fest pitch comp for $200k! <> $500k total investment
- Fractional CFO on the team to managing funds
- Controlling the narrative in your mind. Emotional discipline.
- Audit your life. "Whoever has your mind has you"
- Brittany’s top books
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Launched in 2018 and located in Toronto, ON - Ohh! Foods is an allergen conscious snacking company focused on innovating snacks that are vegan, gluten free and allergen friendly.
You can find Ohh! Foods Snacking Bites, Edible Cookie Dough and Frosting in Walmart Canada, Goodness Me!, Healthy Planet, Whole Foods, & many other retailers right across Canada.
To receive 15% off any Ohh! Foods product use the promo code PACKHEAVY
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Find Ohh! Foods here:
- Web: https://ohhfoods.com/
- IG: @ohhfoods
- Email: Hello@ohhfoods.com
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👉 Check out this episode & leave a review on the following platforms :
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Fb2hC3
- Apple: https://apple.co/3uyFrzC
- Amazon: https://bit.ly/3Fxz99C
- Podbean: https://bit.ly/3hbBPAn
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak
👉 If you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Saturday Dec 10, 2022
Saturday Dec 10, 2022
During today's wide ranging episode Paul and I discuss:
- The JusTea startup story
- Kenya and their thriving tea industry < the largest exporter of Black Tea in the world >
- Establishing tea processing 'kitchens' with farmers in Kenya
- Direct Trade / Farmer to market / International Trade
- Driving changes to the Kenyan tea act regulations
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Founded in 2012 and located in Vancouver, BC - JusTea has been working with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community to establish Kenya’s first-ever “Artisanal Tea Cottage Factory”.
This small factory is processing orthodox teas that have never been crafted in the world market: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal Kenyan teas.
The factory is fully staffed, managed and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers in Nandi Hills. The Tea Board of Kenya, granted JusTea with one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas allowing the farmers the opportunity to earn a fair wage for their high quality crops.
JusTea exclusively offers their wide range of stunning whole leaf teas via their online store, Amazon and many retail and food service locations across Canada and down into the States.
Take advantage of 20% off any online purchase by using the promo code packheavy20
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Find JusTea here:
- Web: https://justea.com/
- IG: @justeakenya
- Email: paul@justea.com
Paul’s Top 5 books
- Ramping your brand
- Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored!
- Never lose a customer again
- I’ll be back
- Deep work
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👉 Check out this episode & leave a review on the following platforms :
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Fb2hC3
- Apple: https://apple.co/3uyFrzC
- Amazon: https://bit.ly/3Fxz99C
- Podbean: https://bit.ly/3hbBPAn
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak
👉 If you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
During today's milestone episode and back for the second time (episode 44), Mitch from Rviita Energy Tea comes onto the show to discuss:
- Some lessons learned while building a manufacturing plant
- Maintaining a foundation of faith & gratefulness in business
- Understanding that sacrificing your health at the expense of the business is actually hurting your business.
- Marketing strategy & further national growth
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Launched in 2018 and located in Calgary, AB - Mitch and his co-founding partners, Robert and Karly are pushing the boundaries of the energy drink market with their own NEW manufacturing facility, and innovatively packaged energy teas.
With 5 SKUs in the marketplace, Rviita Energy Tea is a ready-to-drink beverage consisting of a delicious blend of tea based caffeine, golden organic honey, fruit juice, and vitamins all designed to give the consumer clean (no artificial colors or sweeteners) energy without the crash.
Rviita is available from coast to coast in most major retail banners and online at rviitalize.com, Amazon.ca, Well.ca and SPUD.ca
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Find Rviita here:
- Web: https://rviitalize.com/
- IG: @rviitalize
- Email: mjacobsen@rviita.com
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Saturday Nov 26, 2022
Saturday Nov 26, 2022
During today's episode, among many things we discuss:
- Early product development & proof of concept
- Finding the most efficient place to work within your business
- Managing stress and a positive mentality
- The ever increasing cost of doing business
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Officially founded in 2017, RockCoast is a small-batch, gourmet chocolatier and confectioner located on Vancouver Island. Amber and her team create high quality products with natural ingredients that are free of artificial flavours and colours.
With a great presence on the Island and throughout BC, RockCoast can also be found in retail locations right across Canada. If you’re on the island be sure to stop by their storefront in Saanichton to say hello OR you can take advantage of 15% off an online purchase by using the promo code PACK15
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Find RockCoast here:
- Web: https://www.rockcoast.ca/
- IG: @rockcoast
- Email: info@rockcoast.ca
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Saturday Nov 19, 2022
Saturday Nov 19, 2022
During today's episode we discuss:
- The value of working in a family business from a young age
- Niching down on an idea to help develop a product
- Market research, packaging and brand development
- Shopify & web development
- Production, ingredient shifts and its impact
- Business challenges & enabling a work / life balance
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Founded in 2021 by Thanh Le and Daniel Ruhr and based in Vancouver, BC. Le Ruhr is the product of a love for baking mixed with the desire to put a business idea into play and out into the world.
With three 3 constant SKUs (Earl Grey, Matcha and Toffee), and 1 Limited Edition SKU used for seasonal offerings in the marketplace, Le Ruhr’s cookie mixes can be found in multiple retail locations in Vancouver, as well as via their own shopify powered website.
For 10% off at the checkout, be sure to use the Promo Code: packheavy10
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Find Le Ruhr here:
- Web: https://leruhr.com/
- IG: @leruhr_
- LinkedIn: Thanh Le
- Email: hello@leruhr.com
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Sunday Nov 13, 2022
Sunday Nov 13, 2022
During today's episode we discuss:
- The ShareWares startup story
- The pivot from Natural Source to ShareWares
- The ShareWares business model & flow for business participating and end users
- Extended producer responsibility technology & the circular economy
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ShareWares is an affordable and scalable city-wide circular economy platform where multiple "wares” are shared and reused (take-out containers, mugs, soda cups, food storage containers, meal kit packaging, etc) across numerous industries (grocery stores, cafes, restaurants, theatres, events, stadiums, farmer’s markets, etc).
At the point of sale, users pay a small refundable deposit (eg. $1.50 for a cup + lid set) to borrow the reusable cup or takeout container.
When finished, a simple scan of the QR code on the container with your phone will show the closest return location.
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Find ShareWares here:
- Web: https://www.sharewares.ca/
- App: https://app.sharewares.ca/welcome
- IG: @share.wares
- LinkedIn: Cody Irwin
- Email: Cody@sharewares.ca
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
During today's milestone episode and back for the second time (episode 24) Sarah Davies from More Granola comes onto the show to discuss:
- A More Granola business update!
- Outsourcing production
- National distribution with UNFI UpNext
- The pivot from a focused D2C to B2B strategy
- In store and event sampling
- Grants and funding
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Based in Toronto, Ontario and founded by Sarah in 2020, More Granola was born out of a simple desire: to snack on granola chunks.
Sarah was an avid granola eater from a young age and always struggled to find a brand producing fresh, chunky granola made of real ingredients. She finally decided to create the product that she was missing: a nutrition packed granola that tasted like a treat.
With four Plant based, gluten free and all natural flavours to choose from, More Granola can be found both online and in well over 200 retail locations across Canada.
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Find More Granola here:
- Web: https://moregranola.com/
- IG: @moregranola_
- LinkedIn: Sarah Davies
- Email: hello@moregranola.com
https://canada.unfi.ca/upnext-supplier/
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Sunday Oct 30, 2022
Sunday Oct 30, 2022
During todays episode we discuss:
- truLOCAL’s startup story and business model
- How they triggered the change of a Fedex shipping policy
- The 12 days of Phoenix > Rising from the ashes of a full system crash
- Customer experience / CX
- Building community
- truLOCAL’s 2020 acquisition ($16.7M)
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Founded in February 2016, and with its HQ located in Kitchener, Ontario. truLOCAL is an innovative online marketplace that connects health conscious consumers to local farms and suppliers, giving them a more convenient way to access clean, locally raised meat products.
Fully customizable and tailored to each individual’s personal lifestyle, all orders are placed online with the ability to select everything from box size to frequency of deliveries, including the contents of each box. Operating locally out of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, truLOCAL is a game changer to the relatively slow moving meat industry.
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Find truLOCAL here:
- Web: https://trulocal.ca/
- IG: @trulocal
- LinkedIn: Irma (Brcanovic) Lafleur
- Email: irma@trulocal.ca
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you : hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
Saturday Oct 22, 2022
Saturday Oct 22, 2022
During todays episode we discuss:
- The Luv the Grub startup story
- Grants & resources available
- Business challenges
- Striking a work / life balance & prioritizing family above all else
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Founded in 2018 and located in Vancouver, BC. Luv The Grub is an emerging social enterprise that operates at a number of levels in the food system.
- It captures produce seconds at the farm and produce market level that would otherwise go to waste
- Hires newcomer refugees through a paid culinary training program
- They produce delicious spreads and chutneys for the local market.
To date they have hired 42 individuals, captured over 100,000 lbs of produce seconds and are carried in over 85 retailers in Canada and the U.S.
Alia and the team have been recipients of the Sustainable Innovation Grant from IRCC, the Investment Readiness Fund grant, City of Vancouver Greenist City Grant, Surrey Community Grant, Peace Arch Grant and shortlisted for the Vancity Envirofund Grant.
For 15% off your purchase, use the discount code PACKHEAVY15
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Find Luv The Grub here:
- Web: https://luvthegrub.com/
- IG: @luvthegrub
- LinkedIn: Alia Sunderji
- Email: alia@luvthegrub.com
Episode references, resources & tools:
👉 Episode 39. Leveraging grants, imperfect fruit and the luck in finding the yin to your yang with Isabelle Lam, Co-founder & COO at Remix Snacks
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👉 Check out this episode on the following platforms : Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts or directly on Podbean
👉 Please support this podcast by checking out our show sponsor FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
👉 A review and a positive rating will help to get this show into more business owners / operators ears - and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you : hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com