My guest today is Naishad Dalal, founder of Food Entrepreneurship Academy, also known as FEA Food Innovation. They take brands from product concept all the way to shelf.
In this episode, Naishad and I talk about the red flags you should watch out for when you’re talking to co-manufacturers — and the three questions every founder should ask before committing to a co-packer. We also talk about why the wrong fit doesn’t just cost you money. Of course it does. But something far more valuable in small business. And that’s time.
We also break down minimum order quantities and what happens when your packaging format blows your numbers out.
If you’ve ever looked at a shot bottle or a sauce jar and wondered how the math works at scale — listen closely.
If you’re developing a product, about to go into commercial production, or dealing with issues with your current manufacturer — this episode is for you.
Season 17 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, landing your first major retailer, or figuring out procurement—NFTC is worth knowing about.
