In this episode of Fresh Pressed, host Alex Wolf interviews Julie Rhodes, a strategic business consultant with deep expertise in helping small and medium-sized craft beverage brands grow. Julie dives into the essential strategies that every craft beverage entrepreneur needs to know, from crafting a clear sales plan to mastering digital marketing and building successful distribution partnerships.

If you're in the craft beer, cider, or even the THC beverage space, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you scale your business, increase revenue, and thrive in today’s competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of creating a clear direction for your brand’s growth
• How to build a strategic business plan that includes digital marketing, sales, and distribution
• Julie’s unique A.B.V. Framework (Analysis, Blueprint, Validation) for ensuring business success
• Why revenue goals should be at the center of your strategy
• Real-world advice on working with distributors and increasing sales efficiency

About Our Guest: Julie Rhodes isn’t just a consultant—she’s a hands-on "fractional" CEO, CMO, and CSO for craft beverage brands. By immersing herself in the operations and strategies of her clients, she provides them with the direction and support they need to grow and succeed.

Who Should Listen?

• Craft beverage entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Anyone in the craft beer, cider, or THC beverage industries
• Entrepreneurs looking for proven strategies to scale their businesses and improve profitability

Listen to the full episode for expert tips and strategies to take your craft beverage brand to the next level!

Follow Fresh Pressed for more expert interviews and business insights:

• [Link to Podcast Youtube]
• [Link to Learn More]
• [Link to Learn about Julie Rhodes]

Welcome to The Fresh Pressed Podcast! In this episode, your host, Alexander Wolf, dives deep into the world of cold-pressed juice business with a focus on equipment planning and growth strategies. Joining him is a true industry expert, Andrew Mcfarlane, the Founder of Start A Juice Bar. Start A Juice Bar is renowned for helping entrepreneurs launch profitable juice businesses, and Andrew is here to share his valuable insights and experiences. Andrew's journey in cold-pressed juice is nothing short of inspiring, and he'll walk you through the challenges he faced while establishing and growing his business. Together, Alexander and Andrew explore the critical aspects of equipment planning for budding juice bar owners. They discuss the common frameworks people use to buy equipment and share the essential questions to consider before making a purchase. Andrew also sheds light on the most common phases of growth in the industry and the importance of aligning your equipment with your production needs. The conversation delves into the speed at which businesses may need to upgrade their equipment and the key considerations for seamless growth. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the often-overlooked aspects of equipment, along with strategies to overcome growth-related challenges. Andrew offers his expert perspective on the five most cost-effective changes that can significantly impact your juice business. He also identifies the top three high-impact investments that he believes are essential for success. For business owners and operators on the fence about upgrading their equipment, Andrew shares valuable advice to facilitate the decision-making process. To wrap up the episode, Alexander and Andrew touch on the challenges and opportunities currently shaping the cold-pressed juice industry. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to thrive in the world of juicing. Tune in and discover the secrets to unlocking success in the cold-pressed juice business! You can contact Start A Juice Bar here: https://www.thejuiceconsultant.com/

Welcome to Fresh Pressed! In this episode, host Nathan Riddell engages in a captivating conversation with Emily Ritchie, the executive director of the Northwest Cider Association. Join them as they dive into the world of cider and explore the thriving cider industry in the Pacific Northwest. Emily shares her journey, from promoting healthy eating to discovering her passion for cider during a transformative trip to Europe. Together, Nathan and Emily shed light on the unique characteristics of Northwest ciders, discussing the diverse flavours, styles, and techniques that make them truly exceptional. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration within the industry and the efforts being made to elevate cider culture and support local cider makers. The conversation explores the increasing availability of cider in the market and the growing interest in cider-making. The Northwest region offers cider makers the freedom to experiment with different ingredients and styles, contributing to the versatility of the beverage and making it more accessible to consumers. Furthermore, Nathan and Emily discuss the need for a clear and standardized language to describe cider and its various styles, similar to the beer industry's established terminology. The Northwest Cider Association is actively working on developing a lexicon and language around cider, aiming to foster a common understanding among consumers and industry professionals, thereby facilitating the growth of the cider industry. The Northwest Cider Cup, a prestigious cider competition organized by the association, also takes center stage in the discussion. This competition serves as a platform for cider makers to showcase their craft, receive valuable feedback, and strive for excellence. With a rigorous judging process led by trained experts evaluating flavour profiles and other criteria, the Northwest Cider Cup celebrates the artistry and innovation within the cider community. Education and consumer awareness play vital roles in the cider industry, and Nathan and Emily highlight initiatives like the Northwest Cider Association's website and map. These resources empower consumers to discover and explore the multitude of cider producers in the region, fostering a deeper appreciation for the craft. They also mention exciting upcoming industry events, including the highly anticipated CiderCon, which will be hosted in the Northwest region after several years, as well as the special edition of Oregon Cider Week coinciding with the event. Join host Nathan Riddell and special guest Emily Ritchie on this enlightening episode of Fresh Pressed. Immerse yourself in the world of cider, learn about the passion driving the cider industry in the Pacific Northwest, and discover how it continues to evolve and thrive. The NW Cider Association website: https://www.nwcider.com/ The NW Cider Association Map: https://www.nwcider.com/map/