250: Branding Authenticity, Simplicity, and Joy with Dustin Finkel of Ka-Pop! and Awakened Foods - a podcast by Jeff Amerine
from 2021-07-05T10:00
Summary
This is the Startup Junkies Podcast. Welcome back!
This week, the usual crew, Matthew Ward, Caleb Tally, and Jeff Amerine meet with Dustin Finkel, CEO and Founder of Ka-Pop!, which recently merged with Bubba's Fine Foods to create Awakened Foods. From brand awareness, relationship building, and family-work balance to the importance of community, we discussed all the things that lead Dustin and his team to success.
Thank you for joining us!
Shownotes
(0:53) Introducing Dustin Finkel
(1:41) From Investment Banking to Food Production
(5:05) Shark Tank and Brand Awareness
(7:13) Building Relationships While Sourcing
(9:52) Company Culture + Branding
(14:42) Balancing Family and Running a Corporation
(18:40) The Value of Intentional Community and Partnerships
(29:46) Advice to Younger Self
(33:58) Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
"So despite my food background, it started just like everyone else. I thought there was a better way... The difference is I had a network that allowed me to really kind of partake and grow this business fairly quickly." (4:12) - Dustin Finkel
"And that's really the differentiator that our branding is about… it's about enjoyment. Snacking is fun. It should not be a trade off. It shouldn't be about this serious engagement." (11:15) - Dustin Finkel
"I want consumers to love my product to just gravitate toward it, [to] enjoy the eating experience." (12:26) -Dustin Finkel
"That was the whole point; build as much flexibility to grow. Because who knows what the next COVID is or who knows what the next growth trend is or what that might be." (20:40) - Dustin Finkel
"I don't accept mistakes. I hate them, but understanding how to deal with them, understanding how to react, understanding how to take patience into account." (33:28) - Dustin Finkel
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