Mini Episode: Flavors, Formulators & Fast Turnarounds with Ian Haworth, FlavorSum

Описание: In this mini episode, host Daniel Scharff chats with Ian Haworth, Business Development Director at FlavorSum, a fast-growing North American custom flavor manufacturer built for growing food and beverage brands. The conversation is timed with the launch of Startup CPG's first-ever Product Developer Directory—a free resource listing 200+ formulators and food scientists.

Ian explains what custom flavors actually are, when you need them versus off-the-shelf options, and how FlavorSum's full "solutions model" supports brands and formulators from concept to market. He shares how their Amazon-inspired service model—samples in 48 hours, pricing in 24, a 24/7 digital portal—was built specifically to remove the delays that slow down product development. He also walks through a real example of a father-daughter team who came in for a tech session and left with a finished mocktail concept the same day.

A quick but packed listen for any brand or formulator evaluating flavor partners.

Connect with the guests:
Ian Haworth – Business Development Director, FlavorSum
🔗 LinkedIn:   / ian-haworth-54561328  
🔗 Company LinkedIn:   / flavorsumllc  
🌐 FlavorSum Website: https://www.flavorsum.com/contact

Daniel Scharff – Founder, Startup CPG
🔗 LinkedIn:   / danscharff  
Startup CPG Product Developer Directory: https://startupcpg.com/product-develo...

Key Moments:
00:00 – Intro: The new Startup CPG Product Developer Directory and FlavorSum's role
01:58 – What is a custom flavor and when do you need one?
04:11 – How formulators choose a flavor house and what to look for holistically
05:04 – The FlavorSum solutions model: marketing insights, regulatory, sensory, and analytical
06:15 – FlavorSum Access: 24/7 portal for tech and safety data sheets
08:05 – Tech-to-tech sessions: how an in-person visit collapsed a 6-month timeline to hours
09:58 – What brands should pay attention to: claims, stability, shelf life, and retailer compliance
11:18 – Supply chain disruptions: how to get ahead of ingredient shortages before they stall production

About Startup CPG: Startup CPG is the largest community for emerging brands: 30,000+ Slack members, the #1 podcast in CPG, 100+ events per year, and award-winning resources to help brands grow. Join free today: https://startupcpg.com/sign-up

Stay connected:
📸 Instagram:   / startupcpg  
🔗 LinkedIn:   / startupcpg  

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