# Advice Line with Brett Schulman of CAVA

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-07-04
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava

## Summary

CAVA co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman joins Guy Raz to advise three early-stage founders on scaling challenges. Devin Strahan of Spike Root Beer discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and managing rapid growth with limited bandwidth. Sophia Bowden of Little Me Allergy explores expanding sales channels for her allergy accessories through retail partnerships. Sean Murray of Rootless Coffee Company weighs the decision to seek outside investment to fund a national coffee shop expansion.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava#t=0) Introduction: Brett Schulman and CAVA
- [4:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava#t=249) Devin Strahan and Spike Root Beer: Imposter Syndrome and Growth
- [19:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava#t=1147) Sophia Bowden and Little Me Allergy: Expanding Sales Channels
- [32:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava#t=1976) Sean Murray and Rootless Coffee Company: Seeking Growth Funding
- [47:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava#t=2852) Brett Schulman: Prioritization and Scaling Lessons

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- CAVA (company)
- Spike Root Beer (product)
- Little Me Allergy (product)
- Rootless Coffee Company (company)
- Zoe's Kitchen (company)
- Smart Sweets (company)
- Planet Box (company)
- Abe's Allergy Friendly Muffins (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Dutch Bros Coffee (company)
- La Colombe (company)
- Starbucks (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-10-25-66-sharing-is-caring-how-alison-cayne-havens-kitchen-share-cooking-confidence-an) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [079: How To Start Selling Your Product Then Scale](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-06-09-079-how-to-start-selling-your-product-then-scale) (Product Startup)
- [How to Ask Someone to Invest in Your CPG Brand, with Fave's Ryan Raish](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-10-10-how-to-ask-someone-to-invest-in-your-cpg-brand-with-faves-ryan-raish) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [92: We’ve Hit Our Ceiling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Victor Guardiola, Bawi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-01-founder-fundraising-journey-victor-guardiola-bawi) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.