From Grocery Journalism to CPG Leadership: A Journey of Purpose & Innovation | GroceryPulse Podcast

<p>In this episode, Michelle Breyer shares her unique journey through grocery, journalism, entrepreneurship, and CPG, from covering Whole Foods&#39; and H-E-B&#39;s growth to founding a company and helping emerging brands through SKU. </p><p>She shares what she&#39;s learned from watching hundreds of founders navigate the CPG roller coaster, the importance of mentorship and community, and what it takes to build a brand that can grow and last. </p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn:</p><p>✅ How Michelle Breyer went from grocery journalist to CPG founder and industry mentor</p><p>✅ What she learned from watching Whole Foods and H-E-B transform the grocery industry</p><p>✅ Why some emerging CPG brands succeed while others struggle</p><p>✅ The biggest mistakes that can put a growing CPG company at risk</p><p>✅ Why mentorship and strong industry relationships matter for founders</p><p>✅ How COVID-19 forced CPG brands to adapt and embrace e-commerce</p><p>✅ What investors look for in a promising CPG brand and founder</p><p>✅ Why knowing your numbers, understanding unit economics, and protecting cash are essential</p><p>✅ How Austin and Texas are building a stronger CPG founder community</p><p>✅ What Michelle sees as the next big opportunities in food, wellness, and CPG</p><p>Episode Highlights</p><p>✔From Journalism to CPG — How Michelle went from covering Whole Foods and H-E-B to building her own consumer brand.</p><p>✔The Founder Roller Coaster — What Michelle learned from watching emerging brands succeed, pivot, raise money, or run out of cash.</p><p>✔Why Mentors Matter — Michelle’s experience building SKU’s network of 300+ CPG mentors and helping founders avoid costly mistakes.</p><p>✔The COVID CPG Pivot — How wholesale brands were forced to embrace e-commerce, DTC, and digital marketing almost overnight.</p><p>✔What Makes a Brand Investable — The product, founder qualities, traction, margins, and business fundamentals that matter.</p><p>✔Why Austin Is Booming — How Austin and the broader Texas CPG community are creating opportunities for emerging brands.</p><p>✔Where CPG Is Headed — Michelle’s perspective on functional foods, better-for-you products, AI, social commerce, and the next generation of CPG.</p><p>About GroceryPulse: </p><p>GroceryPulse is hosted by George Goodwin, fourth-generation grocer, entrepreneur, and founder of Kōbu Kombucha Powder. </p><p>Each week we sit down with leaders across grocery, CPG, health, entrepreneurship, and high performance