Chain Reaction Ep. 10: Not All Protein Snacks Made Equal

Matt Hunt, Founder of The Protein Ball Company, learned a lesson early that most product founders discover only later: having a great product is far from sufficient. The ability to make that product consistently at scale, deliver it reliably to customers, and manage the economics is what separates successful brands from failed ones. That's a supply chain problem. The Protein Ball Company started small. Matt made protein balls in a kitchen. As demand grew, every scaling step exposed new problems. Consistent quality at volume. Reliable supply of ingredients. Managing waste and shelf-life. Getting logistics costs low enough to support retail pricing. For consumer product founders and brands scaling beyond initial launch, Matt's experience is invaluable. The conversation covers specific supply chain problems he encountered at each scale stage and what actually worked. It's not theoretical - it's learned from living through CPG scaling. Understanding what supply chain challenges emerge as you grow helps you avoid the common traps and make smarter decisions earlier. Matt's perspective on the difference between founder-operated supply chains and professional operations is particularly useful for brands thinking about when and how to scale.