#360 - Supply Chain Lessons from Building Seed, Liquid IV, and Celsius

In this episode of DTC POD, Blaine Bolus interviews Natan Bershtel, Director of Business Development at Pelagic, about supply chain management for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. Natan shares his background and how he came to work at Pelagic, which acts as a fractional supply chain team for brands at various growth stages. The discussion covers the importance of supply chain for DTC brands, common pitfalls, and strategies for building a resilient supply chain. Natan emphasizes the need to understand the end consumer, avoid common mistakes, and find the best providers who often don't heavily advertise their services. He also highlights the significance of asking the right questions to manufacturers and 3PL providers, building relationships, and being present in person to ensure quality and address potential issues. The conversation also explores the differences between bootstrapped and heavily capitalized brands, the importance of revisiting assumptions, and the advantage of building a strong supply chain as a competitive moat.