As part of Meet The CPG Upstarts That are Big Food’s Biggest Nightmare panel. I, along with fellow Forbes 30 Under 30 attendees was introduced to a group of three food entrepreneurs who have created brands that you can find across the US in many stores. I’m starting with a brand that I have seen on shelves but have not yet tried myself. Banza.
Banza grew out of necessity for Brian Rudolph who began making the pasta for himself because he could not eat wheat and he wanted something to replace one of his beloved foods: pasta. Banza grew into something bigger when Rudolph realized that there was a need for a product like this on the market. Banza’s funding began with crowdfunding and then a reality tv show. This is definitely not a path that every food brand will take, but it is one that worked for Banza.
Brian Rudolph said that you have to trust your gut. Mistakes were made when they only looked at the data. Data is only part of the formula for success.
One common theme for all the panelists was issues with copacking or production. Banza actually decided to take over their own production, which Rudolph does not recommend, but it was the solution they found to solve production problems.
Have you tried Banza? They can be found locally at Whole Foods, Target and Stop & Shop.
