The Pour Decisions Podcast

Macro Cap Labs: From Scrappy Supplement Startup to Trusted Manufacturing Powerhouse

From printing their own labels in a warehouse to running a 260,000 sq ft facility, the team at Macro Cap Labs has seen it all — and built it themselves. In this powerhouse episode of Pour Decisions Podcast, recorded live at Beverage Forum, host Dino Sarti of L.A. Libations sits down with the team behind Macro Cap Labs — Chris Wagner (Founder), Lewis Fer (Director of R&D), and Austin Holt (VP of Sales).
Together, they share the untold story of how Macro Cap Labs went from a scrappy supplement startup to a trusted manufacturing partner for some of the most innovative brands in beverage, nutrition, and wellness. From flavor science to ERP systems, this episode is a masterclass in scaling, pivoting, and building a business that lasts.
You’ll learn:
How Chris went from college dropout to co-manufacturing CEO
Why they ditched their own brand to go all-in on supporting others
What it takes to run 1,500+ SKUs and 3,100 inventory items
How in-house formulation speeds up innovation & flavor perfection
The launch of their new 110,000 sq ft facility — and what’s coming next
What makes Macro Cap Labs different (hint: speed, transparency, and results)

Walmart’s Secret Weapon to Scaling Beverage Startups with William McDonald

Walmart used to be the last stop for beverage brands. Now? It might be your first — and fastest — path to national scale. We sat down with William McDonald from Walmart, joining hosts Danny Stepper and Dino Sarti of LA Libations. In this wide-ranging conversation, Will breaks down how Walmart’s mindset has completely shifted — from cautious giant to agile innovator. You’ll learn:
Why Walmart now embraces early-stage brands and "fail fast" thinking
How 100- and 400-store tests are helping entrepreneurs scale faster
What makes the Walmart team different (hint: it starts with hustle)
How the modern soda set flipped the beverage industry What Walmart looks for when evaluating new ideas and partnerships
 
Whether you're a founder trying to break into mass retail or a brand builder curious about retail strategy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

From Hangovers to High-Performance: KA-EX’s Game-Changing Formula for Hangovers & Recovery

A Swiss pharmacist, a patented cap, and a drink that reduces cortisol? Meet the recovery product turning heads at Equinox and beyond. In this episode of Pour Decisions Podcast, we sit down with Pedro Schmidt, founder of KA-EX — a recovery drink rooted in pharmaceutical science and built to help your body bounce back, whether from workouts, stress, or even hangovers.
What started as a personal quest for balance (between partying and training) is now a leading product across Europe — trusted by pro teams like PSG and the Tour de France. Now, Pedro’s bringing KA-EX to the U.S. with bold plans, strategic investors, and a message every athlete and wellness junkie needs to hear. In this episode, we'll dig into:
Why cortisol is the #1 enemy of post-workout recovery
The dual-chamber bottle design that protects ingredient potency
How Pedro’s pharmaceutical background shaped the formula
The transition from hangover cure to high-performance supplement
How KA-EX became a top seller at Equinox Earth Bar — despite being $7.99 a bottle
What’s next: $5M in funding, U.S. expansion, and a major media push

From Food Service to Flavor Town: How Blue Durango Brewed a Brand

What do Peaky Blinders, iced tea, and storytelling have in common? Blue Durango. In this episode of Pour Decisions, Dino Sarti of LA Libations sits down with Jonathan Silver — the founder of Blue Durango Iced Tea — for a journey through 30 years of entrepreneurship, flavor innovation, and building a brand that breaks every rule in the book.
From creating a fictional town of quirky characters (yes, with top hats and steampunk vibes) to navigating COVID shutdowns, the KEHE golden ticket, and going nationwide from Atlanta to Maui, Jonathan keeps it real, relatable, and hilarious.
Whether you’re a founder, a brand builder, or just love a good underdog story — this one’s for you.

The Future of Functional Soda with DON'T QUIT: Why Every Retailer Wants Protein Soda

What if soda could fuel your day — and your muscles? In this episode of Pour Decisions, Mark French (Founder & CEO of DON’T QUIT) and Chris Van Dusen (Senior Partner at Psycho Capital) sit down with Dino Sarti of LA Libations and Joshua Schall, CPG strategist, to talk about their groundbreaking protein soda, game-changing retail wins, and what it takes to build a brand that breaks every rule — and still wins.
From working with Keurig Dr Pepper and Madison Square Garden, to locking down shelf space at Walmart, CVS, and Albertsons — this is the real story of what happens when execution meets innovation.

A conversation with Larry T about Alc-a-chino

Sit down with beverage beverage innovation legend Larry Trachtenbroit about all things new and exciting

Kevin Klein from The World Famous KROQ breaks down challenges and lessons learned in the Beverage Business

Successful radio host, Kevin Klein, sits down to discuss Pie Wine - The official wine of Pizza.  Moving from a tough business to another tough business is not easy, but Kevin brings humility, work ethic and grit to the canned wine business
#KevinKlein #kroq #piewine #loveline #sharktank #beveragebusiness #entrepreneur 

TOM HOLLAND Reflects on Sobriety & How He Built BERO, a Premium Non-Alcoholic Beer

What happens when a global superstar turns pain into purpose—and builds a wellness brand with authenticity at its core?
 
In this exclusive interview recorded live at The Beverage Forum 2025, we sit down with BERO co-founders Tom Holland & John Herman, along with Dino Sarti, Co-Founder of LA Libations, to dive deep into the story behind one of the most talked-about emerging non-alcoholic beer brands, BERO.
 
#TheBeverageForum #TomHolland #BERO #SobrietyJourney #BeverageForum2025 #AuthenticBrands #JohnHerman #DinoSarti #LALibations #BrandStrategy #Nonalcoholic #GoToMarket #FoundersStory #CelebrityBrands #BEROMovement #EmergingBrands #PourDecisionsPodcast #NonAlcoholicBeer

An Entrepreneur's Guide to Freedom - Mark Rampolla Tells All

What happens when you reach your biggest goal… and still don’t feel free? Mark Rampolla — founder of ZICO Coconut Water, investor, and author of An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom — opens up about the myths of success, the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, and the lessons that matter most after the exit. In this episode of Pour Decisions, hosted by Dino Sarti and Danny Stepper of LA Libations, Mark shares raw stories from building ZICO into a category leader, selling to Coca-Cola, buying the brand back, and redefining what winning looks like. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just chasing a big goal, this conversation will challenge how you think about freedom, money, and purpose.

How Lewis Hamilton’s Non-Alcoholic Spirit Is Disrupting the Tequila Industry with Moisés Guindi

Can you really make a non-alcoholic spirit that honors the soul of tequila? In this exclusive episode of the Pour Decisions Podcast, we sit down with Moisés Guindi, tequila master and co-founder of Almave, Lewis Hamilton’s trailblazing non-alcoholic agave brand. Hosted by Dino Sarti, this conversation dives deep into the heart of tequila culture — and how Almave is doing things differently by skipping just one step: fermentation.