# Founder Feature: Bilal Othman of Huwa

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-08-29
- Length: 24m
- Episode: 187
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-08-29-founder-feature-bilal-othman-of-huwa
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8423b77b

## Summary

Bilal Othman, founder of Huwa, explains how he transformed a multi-generational Palestinian olive farming tradition into a premium U.S.-based brand to maintain family connections. He details the brand's unique packaging design, which draws from childhood memories and repurposed bottles, and contrasts Huwa's single-origin, cold-pressed production with the commodity processing of mainstream olive oils. Othman discusses the operational challenges of scaling this artisanal process and his strategy for retailers to position fresh olive oil in the produce section rather than the pantry aisle.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Bilal Othman and the Origins of Huwa
2. Family Heritage and the Meaning Behind the Name
3. Designing the Bottle and Packaging Experience
4. Single-Origin Sourcing and Cold-Press Production
5. Retail Strategy and Freshness Positioning

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Huwa (product)
- Startup CPG (company)
- Queen's Economic Development Fund (company)

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## Citing this page

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