#185 - Commercial Kitchen vs. Co-Man: Where to Make Your First $1M of Product

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Recorded04 Mar 2025

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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Mott Smith, co-founder and CEO of Amped Kitchens, and Jaime Valenti-Jordan of Catapult Commercialization Services, to break down one of the biggest decisions early-stage food brands face: Should you produce in a commercial kitchen or work with a co-manufacturer (Co-man)? They discuss the pros and cons of each approach, how to scale from small-batch production to full-scale manufacturing, the hidden costs and challenges of both options, when to transition from one model to another, and why cash flow is the most critical factor for growing brands. With real-world insights from brands like Beyond Meat, 4th & Heart, and Chubby Snacks, this episode is packed with valuable advice on how to build a profitable and scalable CPG business. Plus, stay till the end for an impromptu Startup CPG band jingle you won’t want to miss. Listen now!Thanks to our sponsor Amped Kitchens. To find out more about their commercial kitchen facilities in LA & Chicago, email [email protected] and mention Startup CPGTo connect with the Catapult Commercialization Services team for help scaling up, visit https://bit.ly/catapultcpgListen in as they share about:What is a Commercial KitchenWho should use a commercial kitchenWhat is a co-manWho should go straight to a co-manCost ComparisonsThe Financial Realities of Scaling a Food BrandKey Takeaways for FoundersEpisode Links:Amped Kitchens WebsiteMott Smith’s LinkedInCatapult Commercialization Services WebsiteJamie’s LinkedInDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics

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