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Brian’s move from guitar pedals and Supro into the CPG industry.
Road2Retail podcast
Brian Bethke — Co-founder and CEO of Bear Maple Farms the clean soda company
Brian Bethke of Bear Maple Farms discusses moving from the music business into functional beverages. He shares the search for ginseng, a difficult trade-show encounter and lessons from entering CPG, alongside his experience with guitar pedals and the Supro brand.
Guest
Brian BethkeCEOBear Maple Farms
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Watch on YouTubeAbout this episode
Brian Bethke, co-founder and CEO of Bear Maple Farms, joins Road2Retail to discuss building a soda company after working in the music business. His earlier experience includes guitar pedals and the Supro brand. The interview explores his interest in functional beverages and why he saw an opportunity in the category.
Brian describes a supplier’s refusal at a trade show and the role that encounter played in the business’s development. He also discusses a multiyear search for ginseng and lessons from entering an unfamiliar CPG industry. The conversation includes his interests in Pink Floyd and skier Mikaela Shiffrin.
Topics covered
Functional beverages
Why Brian saw an opportunity to build Bear Maple Farms in this category.
A trade-show setback
A supplier’s refusal and its place in the brand’s development.
Finding ginseng
Brian’s multiyear search for the right ginseng.
Entering a new industry
CPG lessons Brian encountered as an entrepreneur coming from another field.
Episode sponsors
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