Join Us at the Table
At the Table is our new quarterly dinner series for founders who want real conversations, real connections, and real support. Each gathering brings CPG founders together for candid dialogue about the often-unspoken challenges of building a packaged food brand — from decision-making and operations to mindset and money. With a focused theme and guest co-host, these dinners offer an intimate space to share insights, resources, and experiences with a like-minded community.
We’re excited to kick off the series with:
Scaling Smart by Not Scaling Alone: Using Partnerships, Shared Resources, and Strategy to build a sustainable business
Co-hosted with the Esendemir Sisters, founders of Thumb Bread® and Hudson Kitchen founder, Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Scaling a CPG brand doesn’t happen in isolation. Founders grow stronger when they leverage shared resources, collaborate with peers, and build strategic partnerships across operations, production, and marketing. This dinner explores how early-stage and emerging brands can move from concept to consistent operations by delegating production, tapping into community, and approaching growth as a series of supported steps rather than a solo effort.
Through real-world insights from the Esendemir Sisters — including their non-linear manufacturing journey and the collaborative practices that fueled Thumb Bread®’s growth — founders will gain perspective on what it actually takes to evolve their operational systems, expand their reach, and make informed decisions at each stage of the journey.
You’ll leave with clarity on:
Your current stage in the production and growth journey
Practical next steps for sustainable progress
How collaboration can accelerate your path forward
Relationships with founders who understand your challenges
What to Expect:
7:00 PM – Welcome: Check in, grab a drink, and connect with fellow founders in an intimate setting.
7:15 PM – Chef-Created Tasting Menu Featuring Thumb Bread®: Enjoy a tasting menu crafted by our in-house chef, showcasing Thumb Bread® in innovative and thoughtful ways — a curated culinary experience designed to spark conversation and connection.
7:45 PM – Guided Conversation & Founder Dialogue: A candid, theme-driven discussion led by Hudson Kitchen and the Esendemir Sisters. Together, we’ll explore the realities of scaling, collaboration, and navigating the steps between concept and operational growth.
8:30 PM – Ask & Offer Exchange: Each founder shares one thing they need and one thing they can offer — catalyzing real opportunities for support, collaboration, and shared resources.
9:00 PM – Connection Time: Follow up on conversations, swap contacts, and deepen relationships.
9:30 PM – Close
Perfect For Founders Who:
Are navigating early-stage CPG growth
Want clarity around operations, production, and building support systems
Crave honest conversation over surface-level networking
Believe in community, collaboration, and shared learning
This intimate dinner is limited to 25 founders to preserve depth, connection, and meaningful conversation.