Harvest to Pour: Business of Beverages

Coffee’s global supply chain is long, layered, and stacked against the smallest players. Farmers need capital up front. Roasters want terms. And between them, a maze of middlemen adds cost and confusion.

Matt Hayes, founder of Bridging Tables, is helping both ends meet. With a background in recruiting and deep ties in emerging markets, Matt built a model that finances trust, not just transactions. By enabling direct trade, providing...

Debbie Wildrick knows what it takes to get a beverage brand on the shelf—and keep it there. In this episode, we unpack the critical challenges growing beverage businesses face, especially as they hit that tricky $1M–$5M range.

With decades of experience on both the retail and brand side, Debbie offers a deep dive into the strategy, structure, and systems that separate smart scaling from stalled momentum.

✅ The #1 mistake mid-stage br...

Jim brings decades of experience in beverage distribution and now leads efforts at Western Computer to implement 365WineTrade, a tech platform built specifically for the alcohol space. He shares how integrated ERP systems not only streamline operations but also enable businesses to plan smarter, automate compliance, and ultimately grow without the usual chaos.

In this episode, we dive into:
✅ Why spreadsheets and QuickBooks don’t sca...

As a solopreneur, even a simple holiday weekend can stir up stress. Why? Because your system gets disrupted, your rhythm pauses, and suddenly all those unfinished to-dos are bouncing around in your head. In this quick Workshop Minute, Matthew Shipp addresses the challenge of mental overload—and offers a proven method to ease it.

Matthew explores the power of writing tasks down and how externalizing your thoughts can dramatically red...

Water isn't just an ingredient—it's the backbone of every beverage. But most brewers, roasters, and growers don’t realize how much water quality can make or break their final product. In this episode, we explore the challenge of designing water systems that meet both health standards and flavor goals.

Matthew welcomes Cydian Kauffman, co-owner of Pure Water Northwest, to unpack the real science behind water purification. From custom...

When your business depends on physical work, long days and wear-and-tear are inevitable. But what if there was a way to support recovery naturally — without relying on constant medication or invasive treatments? This episode looks at a new path forward for businesses and workers alike.

Michael Babcock joins the show to share his experience with LifeWave’s X39 patch, a simple, light-activated technology that helps the body heal itsel...

When is the right time to scale your business—and what happens if you do it too soon? In this episode of Harvest to Pour, we dig into the critical transition that many business owners face after a period of rapid success. While hitting big revenue goals is exciting, it often reveals hidden gaps in systems, capital, and team structure. Without the right strategy, growth can quickly turn into overwhelm—or worse, backslide.

Our guest, ...

When you think of canned cocktails, you might picture overly sweet drinks or watered-down hard seltzers. Ranch2O Spirits is redefining that.

Founded by Amelia Lattieri, Ranch2O began as a simple idea: make a quality ranch water you could grab from the fridge. With a finance and operations background—and a nudge from her husband—Amelia took the leap into a market that barely existed at the time: liquor-based RTD (ready-to-drink) cock...

When you think of coffee at an event, you might picture a standard catering setup—functional, but forgettable. Bean Sprout Coffee Co. is changing that.

Founded by Blake Ottomeyer, Bean Sprout Coffee isn’t just about serving espresso; it’s about crafting a hospitality-driven experience that leaves a lasting impression. What started as a pivot from a brick-and-mortar café idea has now become a growing mobile coffee business that partn...

Introduction to Andreas Duess – Matthew introduces Andreas Duess, CEO of 6 Seed Consulting, and his background in tech and AI.

Journey from Tech to Food & Beverage – Andreas shares how he transitioned from working with early AI firms, including Google, to launching a food-focused marketing agency.

Founding 6 Seed Consulting – After selling his agency, Andreas founded 6 Seed Consulting to leverage AI and data in the food and beverage...

What’s stopping your business from scaling? It might not be your product, your marketing, or even your sales—it could be your operations. Many businesses run on intuition, muscle memory, and outdated systems, making it impossible to grow beyond a certain point. The solution? Better processes, automation, and structured workflows.

In this episode, Joshua Monge, a fractional COO and business operations expert, shares how documenting p...

Too many business owners find themselves at the center of every decision, with their teams passively waiting for instructions. It’s exhausting, unsustainable, and limits business growth. The good news? You can break free from this cycle by creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why employees hesitate to take initiative and how leaders unknowingly reinforce this b...

In this episode of Harvest to Pour, Matthew Shipp sits down with Will Blum, the founder of Bluebird Hardwater, to explore how a clean, non-carbonated, preservative-free alcoholic beverage is transforming the beverage industry. Will shares his journey of navigating complex regulations, sourcing pure ingredients, and creating a product that stands out in a crowded market.

Will reveals how persistence and a customer-first mindset drove...

In this episode of Workshop Minute by Harvest to Pour, I uncover the hidden potential within team frustration. Often dismissed as a negative, frustration is reframed as valuable feedback pointing to areas of untapped growth. Matthew introduces actionable tools like the “alone together” approach and the sailboat exercise to help leaders foster psychological safety, uncover root challenges, and prioritize solutions. Through these tec...

Show Notes:
 

James’ Background: James shares how his chemical engineering degree led him to a career in intellectual property law.

IP in the Beverage Industry: James explains his experience with PepsiCo, focusing on packaging innovations as a key area for patents.

Challenges in IP: He highlights how reducing packaging material can save millions and addresses the limitations of patenting beverage recipes.

THC Beverage Market: James disc...

Show Notes:

• Introduction to Jeff Bach: Jeff discusses his background as a serial entrepreneur and his transition into business brokerage, focusing on the spirits, beer, and wine industries.
• Why Jeff Chose Business Brokerage: He shares his passion for being involved in deals and helping others through the process, stemming from his previous experience in business ownership.
• Explaining the Role of a Business Broker: Jeff describes h...

Key Discussion Points: 

Introduction and Background: Angus introduces himself and Wherehouse Beverage’s mission to create low-dose THC drinks.

Founding Wherehouse Beverage and Early Challenges: He discusses their early regulatory challenge of having to produce THC beverages locally due to state restrictions.

Innovative Mobile Production Solution: Wherehouse Beverage developed a mobile production unit to produce beverages on-site in mu...

Key Takeaways

Escaping the Owner’s Trap: Develop processes and delegate tasks to ensure the business can thrive without you.

The Five P Model: Align your business through the Five P’s—Promise, Product, Process, People, and Profit—for growth and personal freedom.

Understanding Valuation as a Tool for Freedom: Knowing your business’s value empowers strategic decisions that create flexibility and control.

The Importance of Clear Financial...

Key takeaways:

Damon’s Career Shift: Damon transitioned from corporate finance to pursuing his passion for wine, leading to the creation of Bottle Bank.

Challenges in Launching: Finding the right location, negotiating leases, and designing the perfect space were significant hurdles in bringing Bottle Bank to life.

What Makes Bottle Bank Unique: Bottle Bank focuses solely on wine, offering a lounge-like atmosphere and exclusive members...