# R&D RADIO: Rachel Zemser, Founder of A La Carte Connections

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-03-19
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 279
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-19-r-d-radio-rachel-zemser-founder-of-a-la-carte-connections
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/44c6ce9f

## Summary

Rachel Zemser, founder of A La Carte Connections, advises CPG entrepreneurs to find a co-packer before starting R&D, arguing that manufacturing constraints dictate 60% of the product's viability. She illustrates this with the story of 'Island Vibe,' a cocktail mixer developed for musician Pretty Kenny, which required pasteurization and specific ingredient sourcing. Zemser also discusses the functional limitations of sweeteners like allulose and erythritol, noting a trend toward using small amounts of real sugar or date sugar to improve texture and browning.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Rachel Zemser and A La Carte Connections
2. The Case for Finding a Co-Packer First
3. Case Study: Developing Island Vibe Cocktail Mixer
4. Negotiating with Co-Packers and Managing Expectations
5. Sweetener Trends: Allulose, Erythritol, and Date Sugar

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [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

- A La Carte Connections (company)
- Island Vibe (product)
- Liquid I.V. (product)
- Mondelez (company)
- David's Killer Bars (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How I Built Resilience: Kara Goldin of Hint](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-04-01-how-i-built-resilience-kara-goldin-of-hint) (How I Built This)
- [244 - Jody Polishchuk from Sundays on how they made the first zero sugar creme cookie](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) (People of Packaging)
- [360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-10-08-360-beyond-the-die-line-the-pitch-was-awful-they-liked-the-bar-tom-seymour-and-r) (People of Packaging)
- [345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-17-345-beyond-the-dieline-the-secret-success-behind-junebar-tom-seymour-and-keith-m) (People of Packaging)
- [SmartSweets: Tara Bosch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-08-05-smartsweets-tara-bosch) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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