The Food Startups Podcast

Melanie Moss is a life long pastry chef. She started her own company last year along with sous chef Alex Hawkins. They create jewel-inspired pastries and sells them under her brand, MiniMelanie.

With clients like Spotify, BirchBox, Morgan Stanley, and lots of weddings, Mini Melanie is on fire. They were recently included in the 2016 NYC Michelin Guidebook. Melanie shares her experience:

  • What inspired the bling?
  • "Startups like to help other startups."
  • What are your hours like now that you work for yourself compared to working at a restaurant?
  • What Melanie learned worked under renowned Blue Hill chef Dan Barber.
  • On setting the table for an heir of the Rockefeller family

 

Selected links from the show:
Mini Melanie (Instagram)
Blue Hill @ Stone Barns
Negroni Week (Campari)
The Rockefeller Family

 

Direct download: Episode_69_Done.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:28pm CDT

It feels good repeating the quote to anyone close by : "Be very worried and buy agriculture". After all, I work in food. Yet, I didn't have a fundamental understanding of the concept. So I read his books and got Jim Rogers to come on the show.

Jim Rogers co-founded the Quantum Fund with George Soros in 1973, helping lead the fund to a 4200% return before “retiring” at age 37. He is considered to be one of the greatest investors of all time.

Jim has a really strong understanding of history and using it to bet on the future. We talk about:

  • "Soon farmers will buy the Lamborghinis and they will employ ex wall street guys who will drive the tractors."
  • The importance of food prices in world history and current social unrest
  • Why Jim's adventure and world travel were a key catalyst to his success
  • Key historical patterns in agriculture
  • How farmers can protect themselves in bear markets
  • Countries with agricultural opportunities that can be targeted on a limited budget
  • How to monitor political situations and be on the forefront for new opportunities
  • The custom Mercedes that Jim Rogers used to set his 3rd Guinness World Record
  • Myanmar, formerly known as Burma

Selected links from the show:
Jim Rogers Official Website
Rogers International Commodity Index®
Street Smarts by Jim Rogers
A Gift to My Children by Jim Rogers

Direct download: Episode_68_Done.mp3
Category:Food -- posted at: 2:27am CDT

I met Josh Parker at ExpoEast. He got started making maple syrup at age 11. Fast forward to 2015 and his business is growing rapidly. After the conference, he has moved from 12 stores to 332 stores. All while being a full time student At Clarkson University. He isn't old enough to vote, but needs to higher 4 employees to meet the production needs! We talk about his life:

  • On running a food business as a full-time student @ Clarkson University.
  • Socialism in Quebec and how it's helping the US maple syrup industry.
  • The origin of maple syrup. How maple syrup is made. Maple water.
  • Using your age as a marketing and sales advantage.
  • How he manages his life as a college student and entrepreneur.
  • On seeking and receiving investment and advisors. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Parker Maple

Reverse Osmosis

Cornell Sugar Maple Research & Extension Program

Josh Parker on Glenn Beck

Direct download: Episode_67_Done.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:56pm CDT

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