# 244 - Jody Polishchuk from Sundays on how they made the first zero sugar creme cookie

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2024-02-16
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays

## Summary

Jody Polishchuk, founder of Sundays, discusses his journey from previous CPG ventures like The Juice Box and Yuga to creating the first zero-sugar creme cookie. He details the extensive R&D process, which involved three co-packers and three R&D teams over three years and $100,000, to replicate the taste of an Oreo without sugar. Polishchuk also explains his strategic decision to launch with a strong, affordable brand identity designed by Christine Brown and Django Jim, rather than spending heavily on a traditional agency.

## Chapters

- [0:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=29) Introduction: Jody Polishchuk and Sundays
- [3:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=190) Polishchuk's entrepreneurial background and unemployability
- [6:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=374) Early ventures: The Juice Box and Yuga
- [19:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=1166) The origin of Sundays and the zero-sugar cookie challenge
- [23:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=1432) R&D struggles: 3 co-packers, 3 teams, and $100k cost
- [26:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=1580) Packaging design strategy and brand identity
- [34:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo#t=2076) Launch strategy: Amazon focus and new SKUs

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Sundays (product)
- The Juice Box (company)
- Yuga (company)
- Magic Swoon (company)
- Catalina Crunch (product)
- Leo's (product)
- High Key (product)
- Lenny and Larry's (company)
- Perfect Bar (company)
- Dude Wipes (company)
- IQ Bar (company)
- Midday Squares (company)
- Brodo (company)
- Group Chat (company)
- Christine Brown (other)
- Django Jim (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature: Liv Truesdell of FROST Buttercream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-12-12-founder-feature-liv-truesdell-of-frost-buttercream) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Leanne Viola and Jesse Barruch of WHIMS](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-10-04-founder-feature-leanne-viola-and-jesse-barruch-of-whims) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature:  Taylor Espinoza of Unicorn Bites](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-16-founder-feature-taylor-espinoza-of-unicorn-bites) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Dip Into Paradise with Founder Emily Edwards](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-03-01-dip-into-paradise-with-founder-emily-edwards) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [R&D RADIO: Rachel Zemser, Founder of A La Carte Connections](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-19-r-d-radio-rachel-zemser-founder-of-a-la-carte-connections) (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/people-of-packaging/2024-02-16-244-jody-polishchuk-from-sundays-on-how-they-made-the-first-zero-sugar-creme-coo. 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 People of Packaging.