Emerging Brands Podcast

Kelly Bennett
  • 5.0 (10)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Emerging Brands Podcast® with Kelly Bennett This is the podcast where you'll discover the stories behind your new favorite CPG brands. Each episode dives into the brand and founder journey—how they launched, what sets them apart, and the strategy behind going to market. We talk plans for growth, practical advice for emerging founders, and where to shop the products making waves in food, beverage, wellness, and beyond. You'll also hear from industry experts—brand builders, investors, and operators—who should absolutely be on your radar if you're growing a CPG brand today. Whether you're building something of your own or love supporting what's next, you're in the right place.

  1. 22H AGO

    Something & Nothing

    After noticing the soft drink category had remained stagnant and uninspired for decades, Olly Dixon co-founded Something & Nothing to disrupt the status quo. He saw a landscape filled with sugar-heavy, over-processed options and realized people were craving something more elevated. By blending high-end design with cleaner ingredients, Olly set out to prove that a soda could be both a sophisticated lifestyle choice and a win for the environment. Something & Nothing is a B-Corp Certified premium soda brand that ditches added sugars and sweeteners in favor of real fruit juices, extracts, and botanicals. With award-winning flavors like Yuzu and Mango & Thai Basil, Olly has successfully navigated the brand's journey from its 2020 U.K. launch to its 2023 U.S. debut. By utilizing solar-powered production and low-carbon deliveries, Something & Nothing offers a "feel-good" experience that transports you from desk to dinner party. Inside the Episode: Why Olly felt the soda aisle was stuck in the past and how he reimagined it for the modern, curious consumer. The strategic hurdles and triumphs of expanding a British sensation into the competitive U.S. beverage market. The reason Olly purposefully ignored the beverage category and instead drew inspiration from the worlds of fashion, photography, and art to build the brand's identity. Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    24 min

  2. 22H AGO

    Specialty Food Association

    From her early days as a pastry chef to her two decades at Whole Foods Market, Holly Long has spent her career championing the people behind the products. As the former Principal Forager for Whole Foods, Holly became a legendary advocate for local and emerging brands, guiding them through the complexities of market entry. Today, she brings that same passion for community to her role as the Director of Community Engagement at the Specialty Food Association (SFA). In this episode, Holly shares how she bridges the gap between small producers and major industry players. At SFA, she leads the charge in fostering meaningful connections between members and buyers, ensuring that the specialty food community remains a space where innovation and tradition thrive together. Whether she's mentoring founders or curating spaces for collaboration, Holly's work is rooted in a lifelong commitment to building thriving, diverse food ecosystems. Inside the Episode: How Holly's background as a chef and R&D specialist at Whole Foods shaped her "founder-first" approach to community building.  Why Holly believes mastering both in-person and online networking is the most critical tool for a new founder's survival and growth. How the Specialty Food Association is evolving to elevate diverse voices and create networking opportunities for the next generation of makers. Learn more about SFA & membership benefits! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    28 min

  3. 1D AGO

    Cravings by Chrissy Teigen

    I'm coming to you live from Natural Products Expo West with Chrissy Teigen, inside the Cravings by Chrissy Teigen booth! Over the past year, Cravings has become one of the fastest-growing pantry brands in the category. Its non-GMO baking mixes have emerged as a major growth engine, expanding into national retailers like Kroger and Thrive Market, along with regional leaders including HEB and Raley's. The brand now reaches more than 3,000 stores nationwide, with additional retail expansion on the horizon. Inside the Episode: Chrissy and I talk about the brand's recent rebrand Following your gut as a CPG founder The realities of starting and scaling a CPG food brand Cravings' newest launch, the Sweet & Sticky Carrot Cake Kit, inspired by Chrissy and John's wedding cake Shop here!

    17 min

  4. MAR 2

    Alaffia

    Born in Togo, Olowo-n'djo Tchala founded Alaffia in 2004 to bridge the gap between West African traditional knowledge and the global beauty market. Driven by his upbringing and a commitment to gender equality, Olowo-n'djo has spent over twenty years using ethical business as a tool to alleviate poverty and empower the communities he calls home. Alaffia is a clean, fair-trade beauty brand that partners with women's cooperatives in West Africa to produce unrefined shea butter and African black soap. Beyond skincare, the brand reinvests its proceeds into maternal healthcare, education, and reforestation, proving that personal care can create a true state of "Alaffia"—peace, health, and well-being—for both the consumer and the creator. Inside the Episode: How Olowo-n'djo's roots in Togo shaped the brand's philosophy of collective well-being. Why Alaffia prioritizes maternal health and education as the primary drivers for community growth. Lessons from twenty years of maintaining a mission-first, fair-trade business model in the competitive beauty space. Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    27 min

  5. MAR 2

    Bleume

    Sam Niemann has been a gardener for as long as he can remember. From sneaking out as a teenager to ride his bike to the local garden center to working in horticulture ever since, Sam's life has been defined by the joy of growing things. He founded Bleume with a singular, heartfelt goal: to inspire others to experience that same joy by making plant care simpler and more connected. Based in Chicago, Bleume is a houseplant care brand that strips away the confusion of indoor gardening. Their signature balanced 7-7-7 liquid fertilizer is designed for consistent use, combining a high-quality formula with design-forward packaging that looks beautiful on any shelf. By making the "science" of feeding plants approachable and aesthetic, Sam is giving every plant parent the tools to grow something great. Inside the Episode: Sam's journey from a backyard hobbyist to a horticulture professional and why he's on a mission to share the joy of growing. Why a balanced liquid fertilizer is the "easy button" for plant owners who are tired of overthinking their feeding schedules. How Bleume's design-forward approach encourages consistent care by making plant food something you actually want to display. Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    20 min

  6. MAR 2

    Evergreen

    After a career in the legal world, Emily Cole Groden set out to solve a common breakfast dilemma: the choice between a quick meal and a nutritious one. Driven by a desire for clean-label options for her own family, Emily launched Evergreen to prove that frozen convenience doesn't have to mean compromising on ingredients or flavor. Evergreen is a better-for-you frozen breakfast brand reimagining the morning ritual with waffles made from 100% whole grains and avocado oil. By incorporating real vegetables and avoiding seed oils, artificial flavors, and preservatives, Emily has built a nourishing, crave-worthy lineup that is now available in over 8,500 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart. Inside the Episode: Why Emily decided to disrupt the frozen aisle and how her background helped her navigate the complexities of CPG. The strategic steps taken to grow Evergreen from a kitchen concept to a staple in major retailers like Sprouts and Kroger. Why avoiding seed oils and preservatives is a non-negotiable for the brand and how it resonates with today's parents. Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    30 min

  7. FEB 23

    Expo West Sneak Peek

    The energy for Expo West 2026 is already building, and in this solo episode, I'm giving you a sneak peek at where I'll be, what I'm hosting, and how we can connect on the ground in Anaheim. From the high-stakes Pitch Slam to the return of a community event, this year is all about high-level innovation and high-impact connection. I'm breaking down the details for the CPG Innovation Summit, where I'll be co-hosting activations throughout the day on Tuesday, March 3rd. But the real highlight? The return of the Ladies Lounge. After hosting over 150+ women last year, we are back with the ultimate CPG pizza party at the La Rossi booth. It's a space designed for founders, investors, and operators to skip the small talk, grab a slice, and build real relationships. On the Expo West Agenda: The Pitch Slam: My take on the CPG Innovation Summit and why you should be watching the next generation of brands hitting the stage. The Ladies Lounge is Back: Everything you need to know about our Thursday pizza party co-hosted with Danielle Calabrese and Sarah Maguire. What's on the Menu: A look at the brands powering our event, including La Rossi Pizza, Cotto, Showoff, Ghia, Esprizio, and Wobble. Female Founder Q&A: A teaser for a special session I'm hosting—details coming soon! Don't miss the Pitch Slam! Join the waitlist for the Ladies Lounge! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    10 min

  8. FEB 23

    Loonen

    After a decade as a General Partner at Revolution Ventures, Clara Sieg turned her analytical eye toward the most foundational thing we consume: water. Triggered by the toxins and microplastics she discovered during her pregnancy, Clara traded her venture capital seat for a mission to build a transparent, reliable solution for the modern family. Loonen is the first third-party-verified water that is perfectly pure—stripped of contaminants while remaining rich in essential trace minerals. By combining her investing expertise with a commitment to safety, Clara is setting a new standard for the water category and ensuring our most basic necessity is also our safest. Inside the Episode: The reality of microplastics in our water infrastructure and how Loonen is engineering a cleaner path. Why Clara insists on external verification to build trust in a category that has traditionally lacked it. How motherhood informed the brand's mission to support the long-term health of families. Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

    27 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to Emerging Brands Podcast® with Kelly Bennett This is the podcast where you'll discover the stories behind your new favorite CPG brands. Each episode dives into the brand and founder journey—how they launched, what sets them apart, and the strategy behind going to market. We talk plans for growth, practical advice for emerging founders, and where to shop the products making waves in food, beverage, wellness, and beyond. You'll also hear from industry experts—brand builders, investors, and operators—who should absolutely be on your radar if you're growing a CPG brand today. Whether you're building something of your own or love supporting what's next, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly Bennett
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    263
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Emerging Brands Podcast

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