# 004: All-Natural Jerky & Serial Kickstarter Campaigns

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2016-03-22
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns
- Listen: http://www.theproductstartup.com/episode-4-brad-summey-with-savage-jerky/

## Summary

Brad Summey, founder of Savage Jerky Co., explains how he launched an all-natural, spicy beef jerky brand despite having no food industry experience. He details the process of using a co-packer to navigate USDA regulations and scale production, while leveraging a unique black packaging design to stand out in a crowded market. Summey also discusses his strategy of using multiple Kickstarter campaigns and building a loyal community through partnerships with Twitch streamers to drive direct-to-consumer sales and regional retail distribution.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=0) Introduction: Brad Summey and Savage Jerky Co.
- [2:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=135) Origin Story and Recipe Development
- [6:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=394) Working with Co-packers and USDA Regulations
- [10:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=650) Kickstarter Strategy and Community Building
- [18:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=1105) Packaging Design and Brand Differentiation
- [22:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=1339) Sales, Margins, and Retail Distribution
- [32:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=1940) Cash Flow Management and Scaling Challenges
- [40:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-03-22-004-all-natural-jerky-serial-kickstarter-campaigns#t=2455) Twitch Marketing and Community Engagement

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-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)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Savage Jerky Co. (company)
- Kickstarter (other)
- USDA (other)
- Twitch (other)
- Mako Design + Invent (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-18-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-1) (How I Built This)
- [339 - Beyond the Dieline ep 1 with Tom Seymour and Jessica Kwon from Moka Energy!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-02-05-339-beyond-the-dieline-ep-1-with-tom-seymour-and-jessica-kwon-from-moka-energy) (People of Packaging)
- [ButcherBox: Mike Salguero](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-03-butcherbox-mike-salguero) (How I Built This)
- [#179 - Bootstrap Heroes: Hazard's Hop Water, SWAIR, Gourmend Foods](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-01-21-179-bootstrap-heroes-hazards-hop-water-swair-gourmend-foods) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Maxi Heidenblut of Häppy Candy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-04-founder-feature-maxi-heidenblut-of-happy-candy) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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