Meet the Startup CPGer Andy Kurtts

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN 3 SENTENCES:

I led the in-house design department at Te Fresh Market, a specialty grocery store, for 7 years. I lef over 7 years ago to start my own studio, Buttermilk Creative, where we design branding, packaging and websites for specialty food & beverage brands. Having worked at a retailer gave me unique insights into grocery buyers and getting packaging and brands ready for the shelf.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (IN 5 WORDS OR FEWER)?:

Beautiful efective design.

WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING PART OF THE STARTUP CPG COMMUNITY?

Helping folks along the way. I’ve weighed in on websites concepts, packaging designs, etc. and hopefully were able to lend some expertise to folks who might not have had the budget to work with us. I try and think of the community as a safe place to freely share insights and advice.

FAVORITE SNEAK-INTO-THE-KITCHEN-IN-THE-MIDDLE-OF-THE-NIGHT SNACK?

Funyuns.

A CPG BRAND YOU EAT/DRINK EVERY DAY?

Tofurkey lunch “meats” - I make a sandwich just about everyday for lunch.

FAVORITE PODCAST OR REGULAR CLUBHOUSE TO TUNE INTO?

My friend and fellow Startup CPGer Kirk Visola and I have our own weekly podcast focused on packaging design - called Kirk & Kurtts, which was actually spawned by our weekly clubhouse conversations.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN IN THE CPG SPACE:

To attend as many trade shows as you can!