EPISODE · May 16, 2023 · 50 MIN
#91 Becoming the Willy Wonkas of Marshmallows with Funky Mello’s Delisa Harper
from The Startup CPG Podcast · host Startup CPG
Are you ready to hear from the world’s first and tastiest refrigerated, plant-based marshmallow creme? I have been full stop obsessed with Funky Mello since discovering them through the Shelfie Awards last year after they won and we did a short minisode with co-founder Delisa Harper last year (that I also recommend listening to) where I loved hearing more about their story. Today I’m so excited that we get a full episode with Delisa to dive into the world of Funky Mello. At Expo West, Delisa and Zach shared Funky Mello as a Backpack Brand at the Alley Rally event and were in the top crowd favorites (for good reason), so it was amazing to meet in person. They gave me some mini cremes to take home, which were the perfect size for making fluffernutter sandwiches, and now, I can’t stop making them. If you haven’t made a fluffernutter sandwich, it’s peanut butter (or the butter of your choice) plus marshmallow creme, and I also like to add a little tbh hazelnut spread, which is another past podcast guest. I think you’ll notice that my love of marshmallows really comes through in this episode.Listen in as Delisa shares about:Founding Funky Mello with her husband Zach six months into datingParticipating in accelerator programs and launching in Whole FoodsTheir holiday rollout with Sprouts and what they learnedWhat it’s like to self-manufactureHow they are exploring the foodservice channelBehind the scenes of their new Dippsterz productTheir social media and events strategiesWhat it’s like to work with your spouseAnd more!Episode Links:Funky Mello website, IG @funky_mello, and TikTok @funkymelloDelisa’s LinkedInListen to our minisode with Funky Mello in episode #73 In-Store Demos 101: Building a Successful Demo Program (+ Funky Mello) at 56:12Brands mentioned: tbh, Shameless PetsFood Entrepreneur article where Delisa and Zach mention being the “Willy Wonkas of marshmallows”Brands mentioned: tbh, SKU, Naturally Austin, Shameless Pets, FitJoyStrategy Maven Agency Links:Strategy Maven websiteBook your free account audit hereIFT Links:Exhibit at IFT FIRSTAttend IFT FIRSTIFT websiteSocial Nature Links:Social Nature websiteSocial Nature team email: [email protected] from & get to know the Social Nature team: Episode #87 How Natural Shoppers are Responding to Inflation with Social Nature's Jessica MalachEpisode #50 The Data Behind the Modern Wellness Consumer with Social Nature's Jessica MalachOverview of Digital Sampling with Social Nature founder Annalea KrebsEpisodes that mention Social Nature campaigns: Episode #66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge (Social Nature discussed at 41:15)Episode #86 From Target Buyer to Nationally Launching Upcycled Pet Brand Shameless Pets with James Bello (Social Nature discussed at 37:33)Show Links:Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Jessi's Linkedin or websiteQuestions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics
What this episode covers
Are you ready to hear from the world’s first and tastiest refrigerated, plant-based marshmallow creme? I have been full stop obsessed with Funky Mello since discovering them through the Shelfie Awards last year after they won and we did a short minisode with co-founder Delisa Harper last year (that I also recommend listening to) where I loved hearing more about their story. Today I’m so excited that we get a full episode with Delisa to dive into the world of Funky Mello. At Expo West, Delisa and Zach shared Funky Mello as a Backpack Brand at the Alley Rally event and were in the top crowd favorites (for good reason), so it was amazing to meet in person. They gave me some mini cremes to take home, which were the perfect size for making fluffernutter sandwiches, and now, I can’t stop making them. If you haven’t made a fluffernutter sandwich, it’s peanut butter (or the butter of your choice) plus marshmallow creme, and I also like to add a little tbh hazelnut spread, which is another past podcast guest. I think you’ll notice that my love of marshmallows really comes through in this episode. Listen in as Delisa shares about: - Founding Funky Mello with her husband Zach six months into dating - Participating in accelerator programs and launching in Whole Foods - Their holiday rollout with Sprouts and what they learned - What it’s like to self-manufacture - How they are exploring the foodservice channel - Behind the scenes of their new Dippstez product - Their social media and events strategies - What it’s like to work with your spouse - And more! This episode was sponsored by Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com. This episode was sponsored by IFT. Go to iftevent.org. This episode was sponsored by Social Nature. Go to business.socialnature.com.
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#91 Becoming the Willy Wonkas of Marshmallows with Funky Mello’s Delisa Harper
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