Founder Feature: Brian Bethke of BEAR Maple Farms
Brian Bethke, founder of BEAR Maple Farms, explains how he combined sustainably hydroponically grown ginseng with maple water to create a zero-caffeine functional beverage. He details the pivotal moment at Bevnet where harsh feedback on his original packaging led to a complete rebrand with designer Paula Grant, which was crucial for shelf appeal. Bethke also discusses his strategy for national expansion in 2025, leveraging a dedicated field sales team and data-driven storytelling to secure tier-one retail placements like Whole Foods and UNFI.