# Poppilu's Founder Melanie Kahn Is As Bold As Her Lemonade

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2021-02-01
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/eaef3bdf

## Summary

Melanie Kahn, founder of Poppilu Lemonade, explains how she secured national distribution at Walmart and Target by taking sales into her own hands and launching a shelf-stable kids' pouch alongside her refrigerated bottles. She details the strategic decision to use Eronia berries for antioxidant benefits and the marketing trade-off of focusing on taste over the unfamiliar superfruit. Kahn also discusses the operational challenges of managing two distinct supply chains and her philosophy on using bold brand identity, specifically fuchsia, to drive recognition and retail success.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=9) Introduction: Melanie Kahn and Poppilu Lemonade
- [1:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=85) Startup CPG Pitch Event Experience
- [3:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=198) Corporate CPG Background vs. Startup Execution
- [5:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=310) Product Innovation: Eronia Berries and Formulation
- [7:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=444) Retail Strategy: Direct Sales and Distribution
- [9:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=593) Dual Product Lines: Bottles vs. Kids' Pouches
- [12:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=756) Brand Identity and Packaging Importance
- [16:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=992) Influencer Marketing and DTC Limitations
- [17:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-02-01-poppilus-founder-melanie-kahn-is-as-bold-as-her-lemonade#t=1076) Growth Management and Future Roadmap

## Topics

- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Poppilu Lemonade (product)
- Walmart (company)
- Target (company)
- Kroger (company)
- Albertsons (company)
- Eronia berries (other)
- Wall Street Journal (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

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- [305 - How one AZ Lemonade company uses packaging to drive sales and deliver an incredible product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-02-25-305-how-one-az-lemonade-company-uses-packaging-to-drive-sales-and-deliver-an-inc) (People of Packaging)
- [Guayakí Yerba Mate: David Karr and Chris Mann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-11-28-guayaki-yerba-mate-david-karr-and-chris-mann) (How I Built This)
- [346 - Sistine Spritz packaging aesthetic is unreal! w/ founder Kate McLamb and Lauren Alexander](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-28-346-sistine-spritz-packaging-aesthetic-is-unreal-w-founder-kate-mclamb-and-laure) (People of Packaging)
- [259 - It's definitely NOT beer with Not Beer founder Dillon Dandurand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-05-01-259-its-definitely-not-beer-with-not-beer-founder-dillon-dandurand) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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