Making MAKA
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 Hill, the amazingly talented & memorable Russell Hirshon.Each week Making MAKA will take you on the ups & downs of the rollercoaster ride that is called entrepreneurship – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the sometimes funny. Whether you’re considering your own CPG startup or simply interested in listening about an entrepreneurial journey, we hope that by sharing our experiences, mistakes, learnings, and interviews that you feel better armed to tackle your goals, or at minimum have a giggle or two.Making MAKA releases 30-min episodes weekly.If you like what you are hearing, please share the podcast with friends & family and follow & review Making MAKA on your preferred listening platform.For more information about the podcast please go to www.makingmaka.com and try our MAKA beverages at www.livingmaka.com.
Episodes
15 episodes
E14: Still learning (Expo West Recap)
Brian, Russ, (and newly minted) Jeff discuss their experience at MAKA's first Expo West. Have they told you MAKA was awarded Best New Beverage of 2023? Yeah we thought so, don't be afraid to tell them to shut up about it!
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Episode 14
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54:51
E13: Awards Season (Expo West & NEXTY Award)
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 its SVP of Sales.
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Episode 13
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34:03
E12: Sprouting Up! (Retailer Launch)
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 of Sales, and se...
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Episode 12
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27:32
E11: Give It To Me Baby! (Sampling)
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!
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Episode 11
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38:53
E10: A table between us! (Selling Shows)
Brian & Russ recap MAKA's 2022 and then dive into their experience at the company's first trade selling show.
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Episode 10
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49:30
E9: Make a plan... and then scrap it (Go to Market Strategy)
Brian & Russ talk about MAKA's go to market strategy and some of their experiences along the way.
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Episode 9
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46:57
E8: Pitching is a cabaret, be ready to bare it all (Pitch Decks)
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.
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Episode 8
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1:10:38
E7: You're only as strong as your foundation (Margins vs Markup)
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.
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Episode 7
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28:29
E6: The secret to manufacturing... remains a secret (Production Facilities)
Brian & Russ review the pros & cons of various food & beverage manufacturing approaches and discuss why MāKā settled on co-manufacturing.
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Episode 6
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30:48
E5: Fake it until you make it? (Prototyping)
Brian & Russ talk about how they created product prototypes and how the prototypes were used to pitch initial retailers, investors, and customers.
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Episode 5
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26:59
E4: Connecting strategy & creativity (Branding)
Brian & Russ discuss branding, agencies, and tips & tricks for building your brand story.Tools mentioned in the podcast:Adobe Creative Cloud
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Episode 4
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35:48
E3: Juicing it, Juicing it, Juicing it well (Formulating)
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 af...
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Episode 3
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31:39
E2: Wheatgrass strikes! (Ideation)
Brian & Russ talk about the lightbulb moment when it becomes clear a wheatgrass beverage is the differentiator MAKA needed.
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Episode 2
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30:59
