Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford
Imagine a consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry where both small and large players coexist on a level playing field, consumers have choice, there’s integrity in what they’re buying and they experience innovative, sustainable products.
In this weekly podcast, hosted by founder, award-winning coach, consultant & small business advocate, Chelsea Ford, you'll hear interviews with incredible founders and hard-to-reach industry specialists as well as practical and actionable content that directly supports your CPG business to grow, become more profitable and thrive.
Learn more at www.chelseaford.com .
Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford
#130 Burnout to Breakthrough: How Laura Allan Scaled Isaac’s Snacks
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Burnout is a real challenge in the industry. Many Foodpreneurs start their businesses as a side hustle - juggling production, marketing, sales, packing, and every other task that comes with running a business solo.
But it doesn’t have to stand in the way of scaling.
For episode 130, I sat down with Laura Allan, founder of Isaac’s Snacks, the wholefood bites brand keeping it real with fewer than 10 ingredients. With 900+ Woolworths stores stocking her products and a strong presence in independents, Laura has built what so many Foodpreneurs dream of. But it hasn’t been easy.
Scaling isn’t just about getting more products on more shelves. It’s about navigating MOQs, cashflow pressures, and the hidden costs of retail that no one warns you about. And for Laura, it also meant hitting a breaking point - stuck in the relentless cycle of doing everything herself, until burnout forced her to rethink how she was running the business.
In this episode, we unpack:
🧇 The real cost of outsourcing to a co-manufacturer, why it’s necessary, but not without its challenges.
🧇 How she tackled the financial strain of meeting retailer expectations - because it’s not just about getting on the shelf, it’s about staying there.
🧇 The trial-and-error approach to finding the right people so she could focus on growth, not late-night admin.
🧇 Why relationships (not just branding) have been the key to her success, and how she’s leveraged partnerships to push through every challenge.
🧇 The evolving P&L and cashflow forecast that keeps her in control - because running a food business without a financial strategy is a recipe for disaster.
This Season of Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford is brought to you by Foodpreneurs Festival - a year’s worth of sales and promotion opportunities under one roof - and Chelsea Ford Co., modernising the CPG industry, one emerging brand at a time.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- Isaac's Snacks website
- Your Free Pitch Plan
- Get Your Foodpreneurs Festival Ticket Now
- Become a Chelsea Ford Insider
Season 17 with NFTC
Season 17, out now, is brought to you by NFTC – The Natural Foods Trading Company.
If you're a growing food brand navigating that tricky middle phase—scaling up, maybe landing your first major retailer, figuring out how to buy smarter—NFTC is worth knowing about.
They're a mid-tier ingredient supplier specialising in natural wholefoods: nuts, dried fruits, herbs, spices, seeds, and more. Small enough to offer lower minimums and genuine flexibility, but backed by serious sourcing capability and a team that actually knows its range inside out.
Think of them as the ingredient partner that grows with you—not one you'll outgrow.
Check them out at nftc.com.au
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