250: Branding Authenticity, Simplicity, and Joy with Dustin Finkel of Ka-Pop! and Awakened Foods

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 Matthew Ward Caleb Talley Jeff Amerine Dustin Finkel Ka-Pop! Awakened Foods Awakened Foods Crafters Bubba's Fine Foods   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   https://www.startupjunkie.org/ http://wlj.com/http://wlj.com/