SKUFood Recipes for Success

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, whose journey from incarceration to building a purpose driven brand is redefining what it means to make a comeback. Her story is a powerful example that your past does not define your future, and that resilience can be the foundation for something much bigger. Emily shares how she transformed adversity into opportunity, starting Comeback Snacks from her favourite snack, popcorn, while i...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Carolyne McIntyre Jackson, co-founder of Crave Cupcakes, a nationally recognized, award-winning bakery brand that has grown from a single neighbourhood shop into a multi-channel business across Western Canada. What started with a simple goal, serve really good cake made from real ingredients and a commitment to from-scratch baking has evolved into a beloved brand known for quality, consistency, and connection. Today, Crave Cupca...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Peter Neal, co-founder of Neal Brothers Foods and a passionate advocate for mental health and human-centred leadership. For more than three decades, Peter has helped build one of Canada’s most respected family-owned CPG brands, known for their signature tortilla chips and salsas which has grown to encompass over 50 products including Crank Coffee. Alongside growing Neal Brothers Foods, he also took on the complex challenge of di...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Jake Karls, the unapologetically authentic and refreshingly relatable Co-founder & Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the good-for-you chocolate brand that went from a Montreal condo kitchen to tens of millions of bars sold across thousands of retail stores. Jake brings a no-BS approach to brand building. For him, the real differentiator isn’t just product innovation—it’s human connection, consistent storytelling, and havin...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Mitchell Scott, co-founder & CEO of The Better Butchers, a Canadian brand building the next generation of meat alternatives. Mitchell comes with deep experience in the food industry, he previously co-founded another major alternative-protein brand and now is on a mission to remove animals from the food chain while building purpose-driven CPG brands. In our conversation, Mitchell shares how The Better Butchers use...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Pedja Radjenović, a CPG strategist who helps founders transform their brand stories into strategies that actually sell. After building multi-million dollar brands at Molson Coors and Carlsberg, Pedja discovered that the difference between a good product and a great brand comes down to one thing, how well you tell your story. With experience leading brand growth across borders, he understands the nuances of positioning, messaging...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Red Seal Chef Sarah Bennetto O’Brien, founder of The Handpie Company, makers of chef-crafted, savory personal handpies that bring quality, local ingredients, and real flavor to Atlantic Canada’s frozen food aisles. Launched in 2017 with a mission to create grab-and-go meals that don’t compromise on taste or integrity, The Handpie Company uses real butter, Island beef, potatoes, and more. Every pie is chef-made in a CFIA-licensed product...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Joshua Counsil, engineer-turned-entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and co-founder of Good Robot Brewing and The Beverage Factory. Raised by murder mystery dinner theatre owners, Joshua brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and storytelling to the world of food and beverage. In 2014, he and his friends left behind their engineering careers to launch Good Robot Brewing, a quirky brewpub in the North End of Halifax that has since gro...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Kristyn Carriere, co-founder of 7 Summits Snacks and a food innovator with over a decade of experience shaping some of the world’s best-known chocolate brands. Before launching her own venture, Kristyn worked in Europe with global leaders including Cadbury, Milka, Green & Black’s, and Godiva, where she mastered the art of product development and international market launches. In 2019, Kristyn returned to Canada and, alongside her s...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we dive into the powerful role of data in the fresh food industry with Mike Mauti, at Execulytics Consulting. With over 25 years of experience in Canadian retail—most notably in senior leadership at Loblaw—Mike brings a wealth of knowledge on how analytics, execution, and strategy intersect to drive measurable success in the grocery sector. Mike shares how Execulytics helps fresh food suppliers, producers, and brands make smarter, faster decisions thro...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we’re joined by Emily Nichols, a manufacturing engineer and founder of Connect Better Inc. Growing up on a farm, Emily developed a deep appreciation for the food industry and hands-on problem solving. She later honed her skills working at Quaker, gaining valuable experience in food manufacturing and operations. Drawing from her engineering background and experience as a keynote speaker and emcee, Emily specializes in helping organizations strengthen the...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we head to Prince Edward Island to explore the unique world of dairy with Lee Turner, National Sales Manager at Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL). With over a decade at ADL and nearly 15 years of advocacy for local food and beverage in Atlantic Canada, Lee shares how a cooperative rooted in community has built a national presence on grocery shelves across the country. Lee reflects on his role in launching ADL’s Dairy Isle brand and the importanc...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Karl Wirtz, President of WG Corporate, to explore the vital but often misunderstood world of co-packing in the food industry. With decades of experience helping brands find packaging solutions from concept to shelf, Karl shares invaluable insights into what makes a successful co-packing partnership and why more food businesses are turning to experts like WG Corporate to bring their visions to market efficiently and effectively. This epi...