# #232 - 2026 Brand Resolutions

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-01-20
- Length: 33m
- Episode: 247
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-20-232-2026-brand-resolutions
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/0833bfab

## Summary

Host Daniel Scharff interviews Rebecca Styn of Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails, Dava Guthmiller of A Dash of, and Andrew Schundler of CH Matcha about their 2026 brand resolutions. Rebecca resolves to eliminate noise by saying no to unaligned opportunities like expensive celebrity gifting, focusing instead on strategic regional growth. Dava aims to step into the spotlight by sharing her personal story and passion for salt terroir to build authenticity, rather than just curating others' products. Andrew plans to double down on retail execution and in-person tastings for his canned matcha brand, learning from early data to avoid stretching the business too thin.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Rebecca Styn's Resolution
2. The Hidden Costs of Free Opportunities
3. Dava Guthmiller's Authenticity Resolution
4. The Storytelling Power of Salt and Terroir
5. Andrew Schundler's Retail Focus
6. Lily Pad Growth and Strategic Scaling

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails (product)
- A Dash of (product)
- CH Matcha (product)
- Maldon (product)
- Blackthorn (product)
- Saltworks (product)
- San Juan Island Salt (product)
- Tantos (product)
- JetBlue (company)
- Celsius (product)
- Liquid Death (product)
- Essentia (product)
- Morning Glory Natural Foods (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Daymond John of FUBU](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-08-27-advice-line-with-daymond-john-of-fubu) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Sarah Kauss of S'well](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-20-advice-line-with-sarah-kauss-of-swell) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-11-advice-line-with-christina-tosi-of-milk-bar) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Steve Ells of Chipotle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-09-advice-line-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-04-25-advice-line-with-fawn-weaver-of-uncle-nearest-premium-whiskey) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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