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Apple PodcastsFounding Fire Department Coffee
Luke’s move from military service and firefighting into building the business.
Road2Retail podcast
Luke Schneider — CEO & Founder at Fire Department Coffee
Luke Schneider, founder and CEO of Fire Department Coffee, discusses moving from direct-to-consumer sales into physical retail. He covers choosing retail partners, managing products and prices across channels, working with brokers and looking for investors who bring more than money.
Guest
Luke SchneiderCEO and FounderFire Department Coffee
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Watch on YouTubeAbout this episode
Luke Schneider joins Road2Retail to discuss Fire Department Coffee and his path from military service to firefighting and founding a coffee business. He also talks about his commitment to helping firefighters. The interview examines the decision to expand a direct-to-consumer brand into brick-and-mortar retail and how to choose a retail partner.
Luke discusses managing product assortments and pricing across direct sales, Amazon and different retail formats, including food, mass and club stores. Other topics include selecting a broker, dealing with problems in that relationship, and looking for an investor who contributes more than capital. He also offers his perspective to entrepreneurs starting a CPG brand.
Topics covered
Entering physical retail
The decision to expand from direct sales and how to choose a retail partner.
Products and prices across channels
Managing assortments and pricing across DTC, Amazon, grocery, mass and club stores.
Broker relationships
Choosing a broker and addressing difficulties in the working relationship.
Choosing an investor
What Luke looks for beyond the money an investor can provide.
Episode sponsors
Market Performance Group
A commerce agency working across retail channels.
Retail & Response
A media agency specializing in audio advertising.
Introductions to Industry Experts
Connect with trusted suppliers across the CPG industry.