Episodes

E13: Awards Season (Expo West & NEXTY Award)

March 7, 2023

Brian & Russ talk about preparing for Expo West, the company's expo strategy, and winning the NEXTY Award for Best New Beverage of 2023! The team is joined by a special guest, Jeff Maher, who was recently hired at MAKA as it…

E12: Sprouting Up! (Retailer Launch)

Feb. 7, 2023

Brian & Russ talk about preparing to launch nationwide in Sprouts Farmers Market, as well as provide important updates on being selected as an Expo West NEXTY finalist for Best New Beverage of 2023, hiring Jeff Maher as SVP …

E11: Give It To Me Baby! (Sampling)

Jan. 24, 2023

In this episode Brian & Russ discuss in-store (and out-of-store) sampling best practices, plus an update on a new investor... here's a hint "shots, shots, shots, everybody!" and he means wheatgrass shots by the way! Follow t…

E10: A table between us! (Selling Shows)

Jan. 3, 2023

Brian & Russ recap MAKA's 2022 and then dive into their experience at the company's first trade selling show. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook Making MAKA Youtube Follow t…

E9: Make a plan... and then scrap it (Go to Market Strategy)

Dec. 20, 2022

Brian & Russ talk about MAKA's go to market strategy and some of their experiences along the way. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook Making MAKA Youtube Follow the Brand at:…

E8: Pitching is a cabaret, be ready to bare it all (Pitch Decks)

Dec. 13, 2022

Brian & Russ hit the spiked egg nog hard and early, but to your benefit they are chattier than usual, breaking down their pitch deck and discussing how to effectively use various decks depending on your target audience. Fol…

E7: You're only as strong as your foundation (Margins vs Markup)

Dec. 6, 2022

Brian & Russ discuss the differences between markup & margin and the importance of making sure you're using sound supply chain assumptions so your product is priced appropriately on shelf and online. Follow the podcast at: M…

E6: The secret to manufacturing... remains a secret (Production Facilities)

Nov. 29, 2022

Brian & Russ review the pros & cons of various food & beverage manufacturing approaches and discuss why MāKā settled on co-manufacturing. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook …

E5: Fake it until you make it? (Prototyping)

Nov. 22, 2022

Brian & Russ talk about how they created product prototypes and how the prototypes were used to pitch initial retailers, investors, and customers.

E4: Connecting strategy & creativity (Branding)

Nov. 15, 2022

Brian & Russ discuss branding, agencies, and tips & tricks for building your brand story.

E3: Juicing it, Juicing it, Juicing it well (Formulating)

Nov. 8, 2022

Brian & Russ explore what it takes to create a compelling formulation and how to identify and work with a formulator. Tools mentioned in the podcast: Startup CPG ^ fyi, these are not affiliate links - we just like sharing Fo…

E3: Juicing it, Juicing it, Juicing it well (Formulating)

Nov. 8, 2022

Brian & Russ explore what it takes to create a compelling formulation and how to identify and work with a formulator.

E2: Wheatgrass strikes! (Ideation)

Nov. 8, 2022

Brian & Russ talk about the lightbulb moment when it becomes clear a wheatgrass beverage is the differentiator MAKA needed. Follow the podcast at: Making MAKA Website Making MAKA Instagram Making MAKA Facebook Making MAKA Yo…

E2: Wheatgrass strikes! (Ideation)

Nov. 8, 2022

Brian & Russ talk about the lightbulb moment when it becomes clear a wheatgrass beverage is the differentiator MAKA needed.

E1: Show me the wheatgrass! (Setting the stage)

Nov. 8, 2022

Your hosts, Brian Hill and Russell Hirshon, introduce Making MAKA - a beverage startup's journey from launching to scaling a Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) brand. www.makingmaka.com (podcast) www.livingmaka.com (brand) Follow …

E1: Show me the wheatgrass! (Setting the stage)

Nov. 8, 2022

Your hosts, Brian Hill and Russell Hirshon, introduce Making MAKA - a beverage startup's journey from launching to scaling a Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) brand.

Making MAKA: Trailer

Oct. 31, 2022

MAKING MAKA is a behind the scenes look (or should we say listen) into our beverage startup’s journey to launching, building, scaling, and sustaining our CPG brand: MAKA. Episodes are hosted by the company’s founder, Brian H…

Making MAKA: Trailer

Oct. 31, 2022

MAKING MAKA is a behind the scenes look (or should we say listen) into our beverage startup’s journey to launching, building, scaling, and sustaining our CPG brand: MAKA. Episodes are hosted by the company’s founder, Brian H…