How Do I Forecast Inventory as a CPG Food and Beverage Brand?
Inventory can make or break a brand. Order too much, and you tie up cash in packaging and product that might expire. […]
What’s the Difference Between Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Packaging?
Packaging isn’t just what the consumer sees—it’s the full system that moves your product from the factory to the shelf. In CPG, […]
How Do I Run a Pilot Batch vs. a Commercial Run?
If you’re a founder, you’ve probably heard manufacturers talk about “pilot runs” and “commercial runs.” They sound similar, but they play very […]
How Do I Protect My Formula/IP When Working With a Co-Manufacturer?
One of the biggest questions founders have is: “If I share my formula with a co-manufacturer, how do I know they won’t […]
Chapter Foods Weekly #24: How Cuisines Travel the Grocery Aisle Without Getting Lost
Credit: Niramaya Foods How Cuisines Travel the Grocery Aisle Without Getting Lost Real change shows up in the brands that smuggle the […]
Chapter Foods Weekly #23: Field Notes from World Food Istanbul
Credit: World Food Istanbul World Food Istanbul We were walking the World Food Expo Istanbul to find new and innovative manufacturers and […]
Chapter Foods Weekly #22: Book the Bottleneck
Credit: Canva Book the Bottleneck Sometimes operational delays come from boring things, not big failures: the signer is out that week, a […]
How to Find Skincare Manufacturers (Serums, Moisturizers, Cleansers)
From hyaluronic acid serums to clean-label moisturizers to natural cleansers, skincare remains the core of the beauty market. It’s also one of […]
How to Go From DTC to Brick-and-Mortar Retail (The Omnichannel Playbook)
Many food, beverage, supplement, and beauty brands start online DTC—it’s lower barrier, direct feedback, and a great way to test. But to […]
How to Scale SKUs (Line Extensions Without Chaos)
Winning on shelf often means more than one product. Retailers want variety, and consumers crave choice—whether it’s new flavors, pack sizes, or […]
How to Brief a Co-Manufacturer (The Perfect Startup RFP)
Finding a co-manufacturer is step one—getting them to say yes is step two. The difference often comes down to your RFP (request […]
How to Find OTC Manufacturers (Acne, Anti-Aging, Medicated Cosmetics)
The line between cosmetics and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is blurring. From acne creams with benzoyl peroxide to anti-aging serums with retinol to […]