#168 - CPG Founder Life - What to Expect: Paul Voge

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Paul Voge, Co-Founder and CEO at Aura Bora, a craft sparkling water company that has experienced remarkable growth from just 2 stores in 2019 to an impressive 10,000 stores  in 2024. Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges and realities of running a consumer packaged goods (CPG) startup in a fiercely competitive beverage industry. They explore the intricacies of distribution, retailer relationships, and the high stakes of navigating a market dominated by giants like Coca-Cola. Paul opens up about the operational hurdles of maintaining supply chains, forecasting demand, and the significant demands of fundraising, all while managing the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. They emphasize the importance of resilience, setting realistic expectations, and finding fulfillment in the entrepreneurial journey, despite the sacrifices and stresses involved. Paul offers valuable insights on maintaining a healthy mindset and the continuous learning required to build a sustainable business. Tune in to gain practical advice and inspiration for aspiring founders navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. Listen in as they share about: Profitability and Challenges of the Beverage IndustryDifferences Between Big Brands and Small StartupsAcquisition PathwayDistributor and Retailer RelationshipsConsumer CompetitionEntrepreneurial MindsetExcitement vs. Stress in Growing a BusinessChallenges in Operations and LogisticsConstant Learning and AdaptingBalancing Personal and Business LifeCorporate Careers vs. EntrepreneurshipSetting Goals and Expectations Episode Links: Website: https://aurabora.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulvoge/  Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com. Show Links: Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics