If you are designing your CPG packaging based on what looks "cute" on Canva instead of what actually survives on a retail shelf, you need to listen to this episode immediately. This week on Resilient as F*k!, Vivian Perez sits down with Jenny, the co-founder of Ohme Foods, a Canadian brand revolutionizing the freeze-dried snack category. Jenny and her husband started the company from their kitchen after a post-pandemic New Year's resolution to eat healthier. Fast forward two years, and they are stocked in over 450 stores across North America, including Urban Outfitters, London Drugs, and Healthy Planet. But getting there required some brutal pivots. Jenny opens up about the massive packaging mistake they made early on—using clear windows to show off their colorful fruits, only to realize the light exposure was destroying their shelf life in stores. She also drops a masterclass on applying corporate Project Management tools (like the RACI chart) to a chaotic startup environment, proving that surviving CPG isn't just about a great recipe; it is about mastering your operations, defining your dependencies, and checking your ego at the door when building a business with your spouse.
Key Takeaways:
The "Clear Window" Trap: Why designing for aesthetics over food science will cost you retail placements, and how Ohme Foods successfully pivoted their entire brand identity to protect their product's shelf life.
The RACI Chart: The ultimate operational framework for co-founders. Learn how to map out exactly who is Responsible, Accountable, Supporting, and Informed to eliminate overlapping tasks and founder resentment.
Start Messy at the Pop-Up: Stop waiting for perfect branding. Jenny brought two failed business ideas to pop-up markets before Ohme Foods finally hit. Validation happens in the real world, not behind a screen.
Mastering the "Dependency": The one question every founder needs to ask when a project stalls: What is the dependency, and is it on me or someone else?
Memorable Moments:
The "Pallet Panic": The hilarious and stressful reality of securing your first major retail order and realizing you have absolutely no idea what a shipping pallet is, where to get one, or how to assemble it.
The Accidental Retail Launch: The moment local cafes (like Mad Milk Bar and Federal Store) slid into their DMs just one month into their launch, proving the undeniable power of grassroots community testing.
The Ultimate Milestone: Reaching the financial and operational goals required to finally quit their corporate Healthcare IT jobs and go all-in on their brand.
About the Guest: Jenny is the co-founder of Ohme Foods, a Canadian company creating healthy, functional, and joyful freeze-dried fruit snacks.