Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The industry isn’t short on ideas; it’s short on fair competition, open doors, and industry leaders willing to push boundaries. That’s where my work comes in. I champion the small players who fuel big change, ensuring they’re not gatekept but amplified. I stand for women not just having a seat at the table, but leading it. And I fight for a marketplace where innovation wins over muscle, and consumers get real choice. Whether I’m advising founders, speaking on stage, or connecting industry specialists with emerging brands, my focus is the same: creating the conditions where challengers thrive, innovation accelerates, and the industry as a whole moves forward. Through my work as a consultant, speaker, podcast host, and industry advocate, I’ve built a career at the intersection of innovation and growth. From leading global teams at Sara Lee, Kellogg and Nestle, to advising and connecting thousands of founders with growth opportunities through Females in Food®, the Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford podcast and at the renowned Foodpreneurs Festival, my path has always been about championing innovation. I’m committed to modernising the CPG industry, one emerging brand at a time, helping challengers find their edge, amplify their impact, and compete on fairer terms. What I do: ▪️Connect Founders with the Right People: I introduce emerging brand owners to buyers, investors and industry specialists who can help them scale faster. ▪️Deliver Straightforward, Actionable Advice: Through keynotes, panels, masterclasses and interviews, I share practical strategies and insights. ▪️Grow the Network That Builds Brands: I create spaces where founders, experts, buyers, investors can collaborate, support each other, and grow stronger together. ▪️Offer Strategic Support One-on-One: I work directly with founders to solve growth challenges and build strong go-to-market strategies - and I help industry specialists connect with brands that are the right fit. If you’re an emerging brand ready to scale, an industry leader looking to connect with founders who need your solutions, or an investor seeking the future of CPG - let’s connect. To learn more, visit Chelseaford.com
In a momentous stride for the food and drink industry, a new ecosystem has arrived to help small batch producers make their mark, and firm up Australia’s position on the world stage as a thriving hub of innovation and choice in food and drink. Pushing Australia’s 8,000+ small batch food and drink makers to the forefront of the market and ensuring choice for consumers, compelled award-winning industry expert and passionate small business advocate, Chelsea Ford, to create a hub where foodpreneurs can unite and drive innovation back into the market. Foodpreneurs Festival connects emerging ‘challenger’ and ‘disruptor’ brands with retail buyers, industry experts and the media - allowing them to showcase their products beyond local communities; connect and collaborate with the best minds in the industry to boost growth; and pitch their products to be listed on retail shelves across the country. Australian consumers are clear: they want access to new concepts, broad ranges of flavours and inventive twists on packaging when filling their shopping baskets, packing their children's’ lunchboxes and stocking their pantries - however fulfilling those aspirations is only truly achievable with a robust small batch food and drink market, as it is there, that innovation thrives.
Chelsea Ford Co was a natural progression beyond the many successful years I spent in senior positions in multinational organisations. I now combine my acute business acumen and results-driven growth experience with my background in personal development and pursuit of the human potential trail. Additionally, I couple this with my interests, and academic qualifications, in gender diversity, business sustainability and conscious business practices. Chelsea Ford Co is therefore uniquely placed to provide consulting, coaching & mentoring and facilitation for businesses who are looking for first-hand tactical and strategic advice on how to build and support a truly diverse business. I bring a keen strategic eye and excitement to organisations. If you are looking for a head and heart approach, make contact via [email protected] or visit www.ChelseaFord.com. Inquiries are welcome, I'd be happy to discuss your needs without any obligation.
I work with producers of packaged food & drink brands to attract more stockists; increase product sales; maximise profitability; and achieve operational excellence. I build businesses that promote women living life on their terms. I help them become more confident sellers; stronger negotiators with stockists, distributors and brokers; and fearless money managers so every product sold puts more money in their pocket. My primary way of working with food & drink producers is through Foodpreneurs Formula®, my online group coaching program for established packaged food or drink brands looking to break through their growth blockages and take their businesses to new heights.
Engaged to stablise the commercial sales team and develop processes to drive sustainable business practices. The results have been outstanding; - team stablised and committed - written record sales increases in every month since month two of leading the team - customers clearly identified and innovative trade marketing specific programs implemented