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
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
Sunday Oct 16, 2022
Sunday Oct 16, 2022
Back for the second time (episode 28) Neha Charnalia from Switch Grocery comes onto the show to chat about the current business climate (and looming recession..) for Ecomm retailers and CPG Food processors and brands.
During the episode we discussed the following topics:
👉 The decline in sales / new customers / metrics and what you can potentially do about it
👉Changes to consider that may assist in surviving the next 12 months
👉 The importance of building and leveraging your network / coaches / trusted advisors
👉 What has worked for SwitchGrocery and what has NOT worked at all
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Based in Toronto, Ontario, Switch is a Canadian online store that finds innovative and low carb food products from across the country and around the world and brings them to the tables of Canadians. They are a one stop online shop for Diabetics, people on Keto and Paleo diets, and people who are looking for healthier food options for their families.
Famous for being obsessed with their customers, Neha and the team at Switch build value-add partnerships with food companies and are playing their part in solving environmental issues caused by food.
As mentioned during episode 28, Neha is a proud first generation immigrant to Canada, a Chartered Accountant by trade and an incredible business mind that is evenly balanced with the creativity required to get a startup business off the ground and into the air.
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Web: switchgrocery.com
IG: @switchgrocery
FB : SwitchGrocery
LinkedIn: Neha Charnalia
Email: contact@switchgrocery.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 Oct 09, 2022
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Back on the show for the second time (head to episode 37 for their full startup story) Justin Kopetzki generously gets us up to speed on the last12 months of the Justo’s operation.
To say it’s been a busy 12 months for the boys would be accurate, predominantly due to a recent transition of production to a new contract manufacturing partner located across the ditch in Vancouver. The process of finding a suitable partner wasn’t quick, and ultimately resulted in the requirement to trim their SKUs down to their strongest 3 - causing much debate and the cutting of some emotional ties when deciding to drop their Hummus dips, of which the business was launched and built.
We also cover the preparation of the business for a soon to be happening investment round, a little on branding, their 1% FTP & B-Corp certifications and future aspirations.
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With their HQ located in Victoria, BC and established in 2019 Justo’s is a business with a focus on creating delicious plant based dips, while on the mission to leave a positive impact on both people and the planet.
With well over 80 retailers & restaurants serving their shelf stable and delicious dips, I'm sure you would agree that the Justo’s team of four - Justin, Eric, Tyler & Adam are not only an inspiration to watch while building something big, but always a pleasure to see and chat with at trade shows & events.
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Web: https://justos.ca/
IG: @justos.ca
LinkedIn: Justin Kopetzki
Email: justin@justos.ca
Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE)
Brand and packaging design by Hope Aylen @ https://www.designfulhope.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 Oct 02, 2022
Sunday Oct 02, 2022
There are an infinite amount of lessons that can be learned when talking to someone who has gone all in and executing on their vision, and today's conversation with Miki Talebi certainly doesn’t disappoint.
With less than a year under her belt in the operation of oomé, Miki’s startup story may ring true to a lot of you listening with some typical food production hurdles and crossroads encountered.
However, the real gold in today's conversation is in Miki’s approach to the oomé brand identity, packaging development and her willingness to share her personal “why” that is driving her and the business.
For anyone out there who is looking to take the leap from idea to operational reality - this episode will serve as incredible inspiration, showing just how far you can go in less than a year.
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Founded in May 2022 and located in Vancouver, BC - oomé embodies the values of great tasting food that is ethically produced, locally sourced, good for the planet and fun!
With 3 SKUs in the marketplace (Just Smoke, Maple Soy & Greek) and available in a growing number of retail locations, Miki is on a clear mission to celebrate family and great tasting food, while creating a brighter future for our planet and generations beyond us.
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Web: https://www.thisisoome.com/
IG: @thisisoome
LinkedIn: Miki Talebi
Email: miki@thisisoome.com
Brand and packaging design by Tyler Quarles @ https://www.quarles.studio/
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Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon & Google Podcasts
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