# #248 - How to Work with a Formulator with Rebecca Urciuolo from BevSource (FB Solutions Group)

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-05-12
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 305
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-12-248-how-to-work-with-a-formulator-with-rebecca-urciuolo-from-bevsource-fb-soluti
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/32974d8d

## Summary

Rebecca Urciuolo, a formulator with 23 years of experience at BevSource (FB Solutions Group), explains the critical importance of writing a detailed project brief and using reference products to guide beverage development. She details the iterative tasting process, emphasizing the need for founders to learn specific vocabulary like 'body' and 'brix' to give actionable feedback. Urciuolo also addresses the 'chicken-and-egg' relationship between formulation and co-manufacturer selection, the challenges of scaling to production, and strategies for managing COGS and ingredient exposure to control costs.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Rebecca Urciuolo and BevSource
2. The Project Brief and Reference Products
3. Tasting Vocabulary and Iteration Process
4. Formulation vs. Co-manufacturer Selection
5. First Production and Quality Control
6. Shelf Life Studies and Ingredient Exposure

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- BevSource (company)
- FB Solutions Group (company)
- PepsiCo (company)
- White Claw (product)
- Gatorade (product)
- Tetra Pak (product)
- Mars (company)
- Rutgers (other)
- Cornell (other)

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## Citing this page

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