The Pour Decisions Podcast

CPG Brands: Here's Why Your Packaging Is Your Best Salesperson | Resource Label Group

In this episode of Pour Decisions Podcast, Dino Sarti sits down with the queen bee of labels from Resource Label Group for a deep dive into how packaging impacts everything from brand perception to consumer behavior. From the strategy behind standout shrink sleeves to the secrets of collaborative innovation, this conversation unpacks what truly makes a label sell.
If you’re a brand founder, packaging designer, or anyone in the beverage and CPG world—this one’s for you.

From Beer to Billion-Dollar Beverage Brands: Inside Molson Coors’ Bold New Strategy

What does it really take to scale a brand in today's cutthroat beverage industry? In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Nitz, VP of Non-Alc at Molson Coors, and Andrew Chadvich, VP of M&A and Strategic Partnerships, for an unfiltered conversation with Dino & Danny from LA Libations. From beer trucks to billion-dollar exits, they unpack the hard truths of the business—and why some brands break through while others never make it past the cooler.
If you're a founder, investor, or just obsessed with the future of CPG, this is one you can’t afford to skip.

Michael Bellas on Building Industry Legacy, One Connection at a Time at The Beverage Forum

From humble beginnings to the most powerful night in the beverage industry...In this heartfelt episode of Pour Decisions, Danny Stepper, Co-Founder of LA Libations, sits down with Michael Bellas, the legendary founder of the Beverage Marketing Corporation and creator of the Beverage Forum. Together, they unpack the origin story, the evolution, and the reinvention of the Forum—plus the personal turning point that changed the course of LA Libations forever.

Building an $8B Grocery Empire with Sprouts CEO Jack Sinclair

When Sprouts CEO Jack Sinclair shows up, the industry listens — and at Beverage Forum 2025, he didn’t hold back. In this exclusive episode of the Pour Decisions Podcast, recorded live at Beverage Forum 2025, we sit down with Jack Sinclair, the visionary CEO of Sprouts Farmers Market. Joined by LA Libations co-founders Danny Stepper and Dino Sarti, Jack talks about Sprouts’ transformation into the launchpad for health-forward CPG brands — and what it takes to break through on their shelves.
You’ll hear:
Why every startup wants to launch at Sprouts
The role of the Chief Forager and their impact on innovation
How Sprouts launched 7,300 new products in a year
The secret to speed-to-market and staying ahead of retail giants
Jack’s take on expansion, retail strategy, and how they’re building 1 store a week
This is a masterclass in modern retail, founder grit, and building brands that matter.

How PricePlow Turned a Supplement Side Hustle into a Media Powerhouse

What if you made a product just to show off what’s possible—and gave it away for free?
In this episode of Pour Decisions, Ben Kane, founder of PricePlow and BevLab Media, joins Dino Sarti to break down how they pulled off one of the most creative supplement-meets-beverage collaborations the industry has ever seen. From launching a secret “friends and family” product to uncovering the hidden power of badge value, this conversation dives deep into content strategy, community building, functional ingredients, and the future of supplementation.

From Four Loko to Functional: Koia’s Founder on the Evolution of a Wellness Powerhouse

From Four Loko to functional food visionary — Chris Hunter, co-founder of Koia, joins the Pour Decisions Podcast live from The Beverage Forum for a raw and real conversation on building a purpose-driven brand that’s disrupting the protein space.
You’ll hear the real story behind Koia’s evolution from a one-category brand into a multi-platform powerhouse, how personal health challenges led to product innovation, and why the modern protein consumer is changing everything.
Plus, Chris opens up about writing his book, building for his kids, and how Koia is redefining what it means to be a lifestyle brand in the better-for-you space.

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.