DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built

• Packaging Like the Pros: The Hidden Process Behind Your Favorite CPG Brands

  Danielle Kidney is the founder of The Creative Pack, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in packaging design for CPG and DTC brands. With over two decades of experience in the industry—including work with Tesco and a diverse portfolio of well-known consumer brands—Danielle brings a wealth of expertise in every aspect of packaging, from strategy and brand storytelling to materials and production.In this episode of DTC Pod, Danielle breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of creating packaging that not only looks great but also delivers on function, compliance, and scalability. She covers everything from the earliest stages of design and competitor audits, to the nuances of materials, regulatory requirements, and print production. Danielle shares practical advice on how brands can avoid costly mistakes, streamline their supply chain, and create packaging that stands out both online and on the shelf.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The importance of packaging in brand perception and sales2. Process: From initial idea to production-ready design3. Building a design brief and establishing project scope4. Competitive reviews and designing for hierarchy and function5. Balancing creative innovation with must-have regulatory details6. Collaborating with clients, manufacturers, and printers7. Prototyping, mockups, and unboxing experience8. Print technology, material choices, and cost management9. Regulatory review, legal claims, and compliance essentials10. Lead times, timeline planning, and pitfalls of rushing production11. Early-stage packaging vs. scaling up for retail and DTC12. Lessons learned: common mistakes and strategic tips13. Pricing, form factor, and packaging design as sales leversTimestamps00:00 Introducing Danielle Kidney & The Creative Pack05:42 The Creative Pack’s client process: from idea to brief10:50 Balancing branding vs. functionality for sales and conversion18:03 Manufacturing realities: materials, dielines, and cost constraints24:39 Colors, mockups, and bringing digital designs to life26:22 Real-world costs of packaging mistakes and risk mitigation29:27 Regulatory musts: nutrition facts, barcodes, legal pitfalls35:10 Realistic timelines for packaging launches and scale40:33 Strategies for startups vs. brands scaling up43:23 Lessons learned and tips for optimizing packaging decisions50:20 Where to connect with Danielle and The Creative PackShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokDanielle Kidney - Founder of The Creative PackBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

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• #361 - From Ecuador to Your Table in 24 Hours: How UrbanStems Built a Time-Critical Supply Chain

  Meenakshi Lala is the CEO of UrbanStems, an online floral gifting company that designs, sources, and delivers high-quality, curated bouquets and gifts across the U.S. She brings over two decades of operational experience from leading brands in fashion and retail such as Alice + Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Elie Tahari. Her expertise in scaling complex businesses and building operational excellence now fuels UrbanStems’ growth as a leader in the industry.In this episode of DTC Pod, Blaine and Meenakshi explore the complex world of DTC flower delivery: from sourcing stems globally, managing cold chain logistics, forecasting inventory, and reducing spoilage, to ensuring the end customer receives a high-quality bouquet every time. Meenakshi candidly discusses the challenges of seasonality, tariffs, international shipping, and why a robust brand and customer-centric approach are keys to thriving in today’s fast-moving e-commerce landscape.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The complexities of the floral industry and perishability2. The evolution of e-commerce in the flower business3. Building a robust and agile international supply chain4. Cold chain logistics and fulfillment center operations5. Planning, forecasting, and reducing spoilage in inventory6. Unique challenges: tariffs, customs, and unpredictable events7. Customer experience: packaging, instructions, and communications8. Curation, personalization, and expanding gifting moments9. Driving growth through brand, loyalty, and education10. Lessons learned in leadership and staying agileTimestamps00:00 Meenakshi’s career journey and joining UrbanStems04:49 Key learnings from legacy brands and focus on brand ethos07:21 Operational challenges unique to the floral industry11:00 The evolution of flowers in e-commerce and UrbanStems’ role14:28 How Urban Stems’ supply chain is structured for freshness16:37 International sourcing, design, and bouquet assembly process18:27 Managing supply chain risks: tariffs and customs21:45 Inventory planning, spoilage, and matching supply to demand24:45 Supply chain as a business moat and high-precision operation25:36 Customer fulfillment: hydration, packaging, and experience28:34 Packaging complexities and spec sheets per SKU30:08 Lessons from moving from COO to CEO32:19 How operational expertise shapes strategic leadership34:17 Customer feedback and new initiatives at UrbanStems38:02 Growth channels: brand loyalty, curation, and gifting moments41:58 Biggest CEO learnings and future outlook43:51 Where to find Meenakshi and UrbanStems onlineShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMeenakshi Lala - CEO at UrbanStemsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

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• #360 - Supply Chain Lessons from Building Seed, Liquid IV, and Celsius

  Natan Bershtel is the Director of Business Development at Pelagic, a fractional supply chain partner for growing brands and CPG companies. Before Pelagic, Natan spent nearly 20 years as a public school teacher before joining and eventually running his family’s contract packaging business—where he worked with iconic names like Seed, Liquid IV, Celsius, and Element. After his company’s exit, Natan teamed up with John Morgan to help brands avoid common operational pitfalls and build supply chains that scale.In this episode of DTC Pod, Natan breaks down what it takes to build a resilient supply chain at every stage of brand growth. He shares practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls, tips on sourcing the right partners, and insights on how successful brands approach manufacturing, fulfillment, and logistics. Natan also highlights why supply chain is core to a brand’s success and how founders can create real competitive advantages by making supply chain decisions based on quality, relationships, and flexibility.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Importance of supply chain in DTC and omnichannel brands2. Key players: sourcing, manufacturing, co-packers, 3PLs, and fulfillment3. Differences in supply chain needs for emerging vs. established brands4. Supply chain pitfalls and how to avoid them5. Vetting, relationship-building, and collaboration with your supply chain partners6. Overlooked areas of supply chain where founders lose time/money7. How to approach minimum order quantities and negotiations8. When to outsource fulfillment vs. doing it yourself9. Logistics of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution10. The impact of scale on supply chain decisions11. Using data and timelines to make faster, smarter choices12. Leveraging agency and partner networks for supply chain speed13. Why in-person vendor relationships are crucial14. How truly great supply chains build brand moatsTimestamps00:00 Intro and the state of supply chain in DTC01:40 Natan Bershtel’s background and path to Pelagic02:24 Lessons from growing a contract packaging family business04:11 Why supply chain is the backbone of every brand05:28 The role of execution vs. creative vision in CPG07:09 How to find and vet the best manufacturing/packaging partners11:15 The agency advantage: getting reps and sharing supply chain intel12:41 Core players in bringing a product to market15:04 Aligning supply chain strategy with brand vision and goals16:56 Two playbooks for scaling: bootstrap profit vs. capital-intensive growth19:48 Timelines—how to ask supply partners the right questions21:41 How and when to ask for what you need from partners26:32 End-to-end product launch: manufacturing, packaging, and fulfillment28:42 When to move fulfillment to a 3PL (and when to keep it in-house)33:15 Tech and process innovation at leading 3PLs35:14 Strategic decisions: packaging, location, and unit economics38:58 Challenging assumptions and reviewing supply chain regularly42:08 Supply chain as brand moat and advantage44:13 Final tips: Always go in-person and build real relationshipsShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokNatan Bershtel - Director of Business Development at PelagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

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• #359 - Inside Bullish: Lessons from Backing Major DTC Winners (Peloton, Harry’s, Warby Parker)

  Brent Vartan is Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Bullish, a unique hybrid combining a branding agency and a consumer-focused venture fund. With decades of experience in brand strategy, Brent and his team have been early investors and builders behind some of the most iconic DTC and consumer brands of the past decade, including Peloton, Warby Parker, Casper, Harry's, Hu, Bubble, and more.In this episode of DTC Pod, Brent shares his perspective on what it takes to build generational consumer brands from the earliest stages. He discusses Bullish's hands-on investment approach, the importance of brand strategy as a growth mechanism, and what differentiates brands that become household names. Brent also breaks down real playbooks from companies like Sunday Lawn and Nom Nom, providing founders concrete advice on what it takes to build brands worth talking about—and worth buying.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Bullish’s hybrid brand agency and VC model2. What it means to invest as “first money” and why it matters3. The difference between building a business and building a brand4. Why customer lifetime value (CLV) trumps CAC and COGS5. Product-market fit: moving from awareness to lifetime value6. How Bullish supports brands like Harry’s and Nom Nom in their earliest days7. Tactical advice for founders on capital raising and allocation8. Building brands for acquisition vs. IPO9. The playbook for becoming an acquisition target (what buyers actually want)10. The underrated power of innovation and product launches11. The role of cultural relevance in DTC brand building12. Real-world examples from Sunday Lawn, Peloton, Bubble Beauty, and more13. How great DTC brands focus on AOV, CLV, and brand loyalty14. Pitfalls to avoid around capital structure and loss of momentumTimestamps00:00 Introducing Brent Vartan and Bullish03:49 Bullish’s track record and notable investments05:22 What makes Bullish different10:10 Investing as “first money,” how Bullish evaluates concepts13:19 Patterns Bullish looks for in breakout DTC brands16:09 Deep dive: Sunday Lawn’s growth and strategy18:36 Positioning Harry’s and building a hundred-year business21:04 Timelines, capital, and operational realities for breakout brands23:37 Building for acquisition vs. IPO: how strategies diverge28:57 What buyers are really seeking in DTC acquisitions31:47 Nom Nom’s Mars acquisition and the power of niche audiences33:59 The importance of cultural relevance and taking creative “shots”35:32 Bubble Beauty: case study in innovation and customer engagement38:27 Finding the right capital structure and maintaining founder equity41:06 The risks of stalling momentum and overplanning43:33 Where to allocate raised capital: innovation vs. marketing46:20 Where to find Bullish, Brent’s socials, and their newsletterShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokBrent Vartan - Managing Partner & Co-Founder of BullishBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

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• #358 - The AI Ad Strategy Every DTC Brand Needs in 2025 feat. Bestever CEO Apoorva Govind

  Apoorva Govind is the founder and CEO of Bestever, a platform focused on helping brands and marketers generate ad creatives powered by real performance data and advanced AI models. With a background spanning technical roles at Apple, Uber, and Nvidia, Apoorva brings unique insights into the intersection of technology and growth marketing.In this DTC POD episode, Apoorva and Blaine discuss how the AI toolkit for advertisers is evolving, the reality behind AI-generated ads, and why strategic inputs—not just rapid content production—drive sustainable brand results. Apoorva outlines how Bestever AI analyzes existing ad data to identify winning creative elements, then automates the production of new assets using the latest AI models. The episode also covers practical advice for early-stage brands on managing creative ops, what workflows will look like as AI video matures, and the future role of platforms like Meta in creative automation.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Apoorva’s background at Apple, Uber, and Nvidia2. The early vision and pivot of Bestever AI3. The role of AI in modern creative production4. Ad creative strategy vs. pure output volume5. Measuring ad performance with data-driven insights6. Practical workflow tips for early-stage brands7. When and how to leverage agencies8. How to analyze competitors and learn from top-performing brands9. Demystifying AI video: state of the tech in 202510. Building workflows to leverage multiple AI models11. How Meta and other platforms are automating creative12. The importance of creative analysis and transparent reporting13. Future trends for agency and brand marketersTimestamps00:00 Intro and Apoorva's technical background01:19 Apoorva’s early career at Apple, Nvidia, and Uber03:04 Apoorva’s take on Apple’s iOS 26 glassmorphic UI and focus on AI06:09 Security, future, and mass adoption of self-driving cars13:30 Transition into ad creative, Bestever AI’s founding, and early pivots18:31 How Bestever AI analyzes ad data to inform new creative20:49 Current state and skepticism around fully AI-generated ad content23:44 Meta’s push toward creative automation26:56 Ad creative strategy for early and scaling brands35:24 How Bestever AI helps brands diagnose and double down on winning ads43:07 The reality of AI video: what’s possible now and what’s coming next46:18 Investing in workflows and abstraction layers for future-proof creative ops50:14 Where to connect with Apoorva and learn more about Bestever AIShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokApporva Govind - CEO and Founder of BesteverBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

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