Brand strategy isn’t just for big brands with big budgets — it’s how smaller, purpose-driven food businesses can actually compete and stand out. In this 150th episode of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, Katie shares a simple, approachable way to get started with brand strategy so it feels doable, not daunting.

You’ll hear how her DEFINE–ALIGN–ACTIVATE framework works, why clarity, confidence, and consistency matter, and the three starting-line questions that help you lay a strong foundation.

Whether you’re brand new to the podcast or have been listening for a while, this episode will help you:

• Understand Katie's big-picture framework of brand strategy and how it applies to food businesses of all sizes.
• Pinpoint the three starting steps of her process that make everything else in your business more effective.
• See how brand strategy moves you from selling great products to building a strong brand that people recognize and remember.
• Celebrate the momentum of 150 episodes with two free resources to help you put today’s ideas into action.

🎁 Ep 150 Resources:

1. A new Weekly Worksheet with the reflection questions from today’s episode to help you start your strategy. SIGN UP HERE for your Friday newsletter.
2. A “Start Here” guide to Katie’s Top 5 podcast episodes for food business owners (note: list will first be shared in Friday's newsletter, then this link will be updated).

🔗 OTHER LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗

✓ FREE Brand Review Guide download – realfoodbrands.com

✓ Request an Intro Call to discuss how we can work together

✓ Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable (FREE Community to continue the conversation)

✓ Say hi on Instagram: @realfoodbrands

Thanks for listening – let’s go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Host & Food Brand Strategist | Real Food Brands

Finding the right vendors, agencies, and strategic service providers can be a game-changer for your food business as you grow. In Ep 149 of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, Katie and Clint share some points to consider when evaluating potential partners so you can avoid wasting time and money—and instead work with people who truly support your vision and business goals.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Key criteria to consider when selecting strategic partners like vendors, agencies, brokers, and more.

✔️ How your brand strategy works as a filter for finding the right fit

✔️ Red flags to watch out for before you sign a contract

✔️ Practical tips to start small, test alignment, and build long-term relationships

The right partners should feel like an extension of your team, versus you pulling them along to keep up with you. Tune in to hear the quick tips we have for you today!

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗

✓ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get weekly worksheets to turn your ideas into action (scroll down and sign up for the Brand Review Guide).

✓ FREE Brand Review Guide – realfoodbrands.com

✓ Request an Intro Call to discuss how we can work together

✓ Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable (Free Facebook Community to follow up on episode questions or ideas)

✓ Say hi on Instagram: @realfoodbrands

✓ Start Right Foods - the brand Clint co-founded with his business partner

Thanks for listening – let’s go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Host & Food Brand Strategist | Real Food Brands

Motivation feels exciting. It’s the spark that gets you moving, whether that’s launching a new product, pursuing a dream retailer, or setting up at a big show. But if you’ve ever felt your motivation fade, you know it isn’t enough on its own.

That’s where discipline comes in. Discipline is the steady commitment to your food brand’s vision and purpose that helps you stay consistent, even when the spark of motivation wears off. And as we've talked about in past episodes, consistency is what builds trust with your stakeholders like buyers, suppliers, influencers, investors, and importantly...your team!

In Episode 148 of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, food brand strategist Katie Mleziva and food business owner Clint Matthews unpack the difference between motivation and discipline and discuss why BOTH are essential for food brand growth.

You’ll hear real-life examples and stories that highlight how motivation sparks energy while discipline sustains momentum — especially when the challenges of entrepreneurship set in.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why motivation is important, but fleeting — and why relying on motivation can be risky.
• The role of discipline in creating trust and consistency with your customers
• How to root your discipline in your brand vision and purpose so you don’t get knocked off track
• Why combining motivation + discipline is the secret to sustainable food brand growth

Katie also shares how her Define–Align–Activate process helps food business owners take all that motivation and channel it into disciplined, aligned action. That’s the mindset shift that turns ideas into impact and fuels sustainable growth for your food brand.

🎧 Listen now to discover the mindset shift that will fuel your brand for the long haul — and help you shake up shopping carts!

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗

✓ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get weekly worksheets to turn your ideas into action (scroll down and sign up for the Brand Review Guide).

✓ FREE Brand Review Guide – realfoodbrands.com

✓ Request an Intro Call to discuss how we can work together

✓ Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable (Free Facebook Community to follow up on episode questions or ideas)

✓ Say hi on Instagram: @realfoodbrands

✓ Start Right Foods - the brand Clint co-founded with his business partner

Thanks for listening – let’s go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Host & Food Brand Strategist | Real Food Brands