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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman speaks with Laura Romano, Director of Operations at Graza, the olive oil brand redefining a pantry staple. Laura shares her journey from scaling Blue Marble Ice Cream to leading operations at Graza, offering practical lessons on managing growth, strengthening supply chains, and building resilient systems.
Together, they discuss the operator’s mindset, balancing founder vision with operational realities, and the importance of forecasting, inventory management, and supplier relationships. Laura also highlights the critical role of packaging, pricing negotiations, and co-manufacturer partnerships, while reflecting on how to navigate the tension between scrappy execution and sustainable infrastructure.
Packed with insights from both successes and setbacks, this conversation is essential listening for founders, operators, and anyone passionate about scaling consumer brands effectively.
Tune in now to learn actionable strategies for building strong operations and positioning your business for long-term success.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with investors and brands—secure your spot at fandf.startupcpg.com
Listen in as they share about:
- Graza Overview & Product Development
- Operations in the Early Days
- Role of an Ops Leader
- Scaling & Growth Challenges
- KPIs & Inventory Management
- Manufacturing & Supplier Relationships
- DTC vs. Retail Operations
- Packaging & Distribution
- Advice for Founders & Operators
Episode Links:
Website: https://www.graza.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-romano-47a9a89b/
Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.
Show Links:
- Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
- Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
- Follow @startupcpg
- Visit host Hannah's Linkedin
- Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
- Episode music by Super Fantastics
