Today’s episode is a little less strategy teaching and more self-reflection about how you learn best. In part, this is to help you maximize investment of your time and money when you want to learn something for your business, but also because I want to get your feedback about the content I create as well!

I will walk you through common learning styles to help you think about how you best absorb new ideas and take action in your food business. You'll find the link below to the short survey to help shape future content and support, whether that’s workshops, templates, videos, or something else.

In Ep 133 you’ll hear:

• 4 common learning styles to help you become more self-aware about how you learn best.
• Why this podcast is now called The Food Business Marketing Podcast.
• What’s new on the updated RealFoodBrands.com website
• Where to download Katie’s free guide: 4 Big Mistakes Food Business Owners Make with Their Brand Strategy—And How to Flip Them Into Opportunities

👉 Take the brief listener survey here

👉 Explore the new website + download your free guide: www.realfoodbrands.com

Ready to Define, Align & Activate your brand strategy and add structure to your business to bring your vision to life? Visit www.realfoodbrands.com to learn more about how we can work together 1:1 through a Brand Review Workshop or the more comprehensive Brand Success System.

Let's go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Real Food Brands

Related Resources:

IG: @realfoodbrands

LI: let’s connect!

Real Food Brands Brand Checkup Scorecard

Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable Facebook Group

Why brand strategy gives B2B businesses an edge in standing out, selling more, and scaling with confidence.

You might not think of your business as a “brand,” especially if you manufacture equipment or offer consulting services—but having a clear brand strategy can make a BIG difference, to you and your team as well as your customers.

In fact, it could just be the thing you need to help you stand out in a crowded, competitive market and help prioritize all of your ideas to take aligned action.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• Why brand strategy matters just as much for B2B brands
• What’s the same (and different) versus B2C branding
• Where your brand strategy comes to life in day-to-day activities and touchpoints—internally and externally
• How brand strategy helps your whole team work together to row in the same direction to grow and scale efficiently.

Whether you’re B2B, B2C, or both, brand strategy gives you the structure and clarity to lead with confidence.

Ready to create your brand strategy and add structure to your business to bring your vision to life? Visit Email me at katie@realfoodbrands.com to learn more about how we can work together.

Let's go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Real Food Brands

Resources:

RealFoodBrands.com

IG: @realfoodbrands

LI: let’s connect!

Real Food Brands Brand Checkup Scorecard

Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable Facebook Group

What if you created a Connection Plan instead of a traditional Marketing Plan?

If the word "marketing" makes you cringe just a little—you’re not alone. I know many food business owners who do. And, I have a Marketing degree and I even feel the same way sometimes!

But my approach is different.

That’s why in this short and powerful episode of the Real Food Brands podcast, I’m flipping the script and asking:

Would you rather be marketing… or connecting?

In this episode, I share how a fresh mindset can help business owners think beyond promotions and tactical plans to build real, lasting relationships with their audience. Whether you're a B2B or B2C brand, this connection-first approach can lead to more loyalty, word-of-mouth, and long-term success.

You'll hear me share six key stages of the customer journey—each with insights into how your brand can move people from awareness to advocacy by creating genuine connections through your products, services, and the story you're inviting people to join.

If you're ready to build a food brand that stands out and sticks around, this episode is for you.

Ready to sharpen your strategy? Visit Email me at katie@realfoodbrands.com to learn more about how we can work together.

Let's go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Real Food Brands

Related Episodes:

Resources:

RealFoodBrands.com

IG: @realfoodbrands

LI: let’s connect!

Real Food Brands Brand Checkup Scorecard

Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable Facebook Group

If you're working to grow your food business but feel like your focus is scattered and your messaging is not as clear as it could be, it's time to revisit your brand positioning.

This episode dives into one of the most essential (yet often overlooked or complicated) parts of brand strategy—defining what you want to be known for and why your audience should choose and stay loyal to your brand.

In this episode of the Real Food Brands podcast, you'll learn a straightforward framework to write your own brand positioning statement, hear examples, and get five clarity-building questions to test your draft.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What brand positioning statement is—and why it matters
• A simple formula to get started
• Food business examples that bring it to life
• What to avoid when crafting your positioning
• Five self-check questions to sharpen your positioning

Ready to define or refine your strategy to bring focus to the right things at the right time? Visit Email me at katie@realfoodbrands.com to learn more about how we can work together.

Episodes Mentioned:

Resources:

RealFoodBrands.com

IG: @realfoodbrands

LI: let’s connect!

Real Food Brands Brand Checkup Scorecard

Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable Facebook Group

When you’re running a food business, marketing can easily fall to the bottom of your list—especially during busy seasons. But consistency matters, and your brand strategy can be the lifeline that helps you stay visible without starting from scratch.

In this episode, I share a 3-step approach to creating aligned content faster, so you can stay consistent, show up with purpose, and avoid the overwhelm.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 3 steps to create aligned marketing content faster
• How to lean on your brand pillars to simplify content creation
• Why making time for small, strategic steps is more powerful than throwing things at the wall
• What to do in your downtime to set yourself up for success
• How a "YET mindset" can help you

Mentioned Episodes

a) 123. Organizing All Your Ideas to Build a Cohesive Brand (Food Brand Strategy Blueprint Part 2)

b) 3 Steps to a More Effective Food Marketing Plan

c) Meeting Consumers' Needs - What Are You REALLY selling?

Resources

RealFoodBrands.com

IG: @realfoodbrands

LI: let's connect!

Thanks for listening, now let's go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Host & Food Brand Strategist

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to tell a compelling brand story, you’re not alone—and there's good news! You might just be starting in the wrong place.

In this episode, I share the story behind crafting a meaningful and memorable brand story. That includes why your brand story should support your strategy—not come before it.

You’ll learn how to use the 3Cs framework (Company, Competitors, and Consumers...in that order!) to uncover meaningful insights that make your brand story stand out and connect.

Tune in to discover:

• Why skipping ahead in your brand story is like skipping to the end of a good book.
• The biggest mistakes brands make when telling their story.
• What actually goes into a strong, meaningful, and unique brand story.
• The important difference between brand history and brand story.
• How to weave your brand story throughout your business.

Whether you’re writing your story for the first time or refining what you've been using so far, this episode will help you write a story that inspires action and loyalty.

Let's go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Brand Strategy Resources:

RealFoodBrands.com

IG: @realfoodbrands

LI: let's connect!

If you want to stand out in a crowded market, attract the right people, lead your team, and build your food business with confidence, it all starts with strategy.

In this episode, host Katie Mleziva shares why brand strategy isn’t just for big brands with big budgets—it’s how smaller, purpose-driven food businesses gain a real competitive edge to scale.

Whether you're updating your packaging, pitching to retailers, or working to gain clarity about where you want to take your business, your brand strategy is the foundation that serves as your guide and your glue to tie it all together.

In fact, a well-defined brand strategy can be a competitive advantage because most smaller brands don't take the time or know how to do the work and end up blending in to the sea of sameness.

You’ll learn:

• Why delaying brand strategy can create confusion - for everyone!
• What brand strategy actually is
• A real-life example of how brand strategy created clarity and confidence
• Why consistency and confidence come from clarity

If you’re tired of second-guessing your brand positioning or feeling stuck when people ask what makes you different, this episode is your pep talk and practical starting point.

✨ Ready to stop spinning and start leading your brand with clarity? Learn more about doing a Brand Audit with Katie.

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the things—but still not making progress...like you're just running in circles?

In this short and lighter episode, I share a personal (and slightly ridiculous) real-life story that turned into a powerful reminder: sometimes the answer isn't about pushing through—it's about finding a way to shift your perspective.

Whether you're stuck on messaging, spinning on a new product idea, or just generally overwhelmed, this episode is a mindset reset for food business owners who need a new view to get moving again.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

→ Why doing more isn’t always the answer

→ Tips to gain a fresh perspective

→ What a porta-potty taught me about problem-solving (yes, really)

→ How a simple shift in direction can unlock clarity in your business and your brand strategy

Clarity often starts with curiosity—and sometimes, all it takes is stepping to the side to get the fresh perspective you need.

Want more support? Set up a Brand Audit Session to get personalized insights on how to strengthen and align your brand. Contact Me for more details.

🎧 Resources:

Ep 61 - Lessons From an Uphill Climb

Katie's Instagram - let's connect!

Katie's LinkedIn - let's connect!

Katie's Website

Real Food Brands Brand Checkup Scorecard

Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable Facebook Group

Let's go Shake Up Shopping Carts!

Katie Mleziva

Food Brand Strategist