Launching a CPG brand is always a grind — but reinventing pork sausage with chef-crafted recipes, premium cuts, and a sixth-generation family farm story? That’s a whole new challenge. In this episode of Shopify Happy Hour , Dan sits down with Cassie Maschhoff , co-founder of Lottie’s Meats , the sister-run brand elevating pork with gourmet sausages and ground blends made from real ingredients, responsible sourcing, and culinary craftsmanship. Cassie shares how she and her sister Chelsea turned family heritage and Michelin-level technique into one of the most exciting new meat brands on the market. You’ll hear how Cassie: Transformed a sixth-generation Illinois family farm legacy into a modern, premium pork brand. Partnered with her chef-trained sister to craft sausages using only pork loin, pork shoulder, and clean, real ingredients. Navigated nine different co-packers to finally find partners who could uphold their exacting standards. Built early traction through restaurant partnerships, farmers markets, pop-ups, and brewery takeovers in Denver. Created cult-favorite products like The Lottie and perfected flavors through years of behind-the-scenes R&D. Balanced the demands of cold-chain logistics, short shelf life, and monthly production while still growing fast. We also get into the bigger picture: Why pork has gotten a bad rap — and how Lottie’s is changing that perception. The operational realities (and chaos) of scaling a perishable food brand. How retail, DTC, and food service each play their own role in Lottie’s growth. Why differentiation, quality, and ironclad non-negotiables matter when working with co-packers. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a modern food brand — from sourcing to storytelling to scaling in an unforgiving supply chain — this conversation is full of hard-won lessons and real-world strategies. 🍽️ Whether you’re a foodie, a founder, or someone fascinated by how craft brands break through, Cassie’s story is proof that pork can be premium, purposeful, and genuinely delicious again. Brands & Mentions: Scribe Winery Nugget Markets US Foods Get Right’s Bakery Culinary Institute of America Maine Beer Company (“Lunch” IPA) Lottie’s Family Pork Farm Network Shooka Sauce Jennies House Realsy Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lottie's Meats 02:48 Crafting Quality Sausages 05:41 Navigating Co-Packing Challenges 08:48 The Founder's Journey 11:32 Scaling and Distribution Strategies 14:20 Innovative Marketing Approaches 17:25 Product Development and Consumer Feedback 20:07 E-commerce and Digital Marketing Strategies 23:05 Community Engagement and Partnerships 25:59 Speed Round and Personal Insights
