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. 1D AGO

    Bowl & Kettle

    For husband-and-wife team Sarah and Brett Bowlin, years of long-distance hiking and remote travel led to a frustrating realization: the beauty of the landscape rarely matched the quality of the food in their packs. Tired of nutritionally empty, overly processed meals that felt disconnected from the joy of a shared table, they founded Bowl & Kettle. Based in Colorado, the company is redefining outdoor nutrition by bringing culinary intention and whole ingredients to the freeze-dried category. Since its launch in 2024, Bowl & Kettle has evolved from a scrappy founder-led experiment into a nationwide community of adventurers. Sarah joins us to discuss how they carefully adapt real dishes to the freeze-drying process without sacrificing taste or nourishment. It is a conversation about the philosophy that meaningful moments in the outdoors deserve food that feels just as thoughtful and alive as the places where it is eaten. Inside the Episode: Sarah's professional background in consumer research and how it provided the ideal foundation for identifying market gaps and building a brand that truly resonates with the modern adventurer. The technical and creative process of taking real, whole-ingredient recipes and adapting them for freeze-drying while maintaining bold seasoning.  Why Bowl & Kettle remains hands-on with production and recipe development while scaling to meet the needs of a loyal community of travelers. 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.

    29 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Malai

    When Pooja Bavishi founded Malai in 2015, she set out to do more than just make dessert; she wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness. Inspired by the aromatic spices of her first-generation Indian-American upbringing—like ginger, saffron, and cardamom—Pooja has built a Brooklyn-based brand that is revolutionizing the frozen treat category. By blending rich cultural heritage with innovative, eggless formulations, Malai offers an indulgence that is simultaneously nostalgic and entirely unique. Malai's ice creams are celebrated for their robust flavors and creamy textures, available in a variety of forms from kulfi pops to ice cream sandos. In this episode, we discuss Pooja's journey from a Brooklyn startup to a multi-city scoop shop operation and how she leverages her deep culinary and business expertise to keep Malai at the forefront of innovation. Inside the Episode: How the vision for Malai started more than 10 years ago, fueled by Pooja's lifelong sweet tooth and a deep fascination with the hospitality and joy that surrounds sharing desserts.  How Pooja uses traditional South Asian ingredients to create "robust" flavor profiles that challenge the standard vanilla and chocolate norms. The strategic roadmap behind moving from a Brooklyn startup to a multi-city scoop shop operation with regional grocery distribution. Find Malai Near You! 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.

    33 min

  3. 1D AGO

    Nurtured with Nature

    When Ani Widham founded Nurtured with Nature in 2023, she set out to solve a problem every busy parent faces: the difficulty of finding quick, stress-free meals that are actually healthy. Frustrated by the "scary," unrecognizable ingredients found in most packaged foods, Ani created a brand rooted in radical simplicity. Its flagship frozen pancakes are made with just four unprocessed organic ingredients, proving that convenience doesn't have to come at the cost of nutrition. Now available in grocery stores across New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, Nurtured with Nature is quickly becoming a freezer staple for families who value transparency. In this episode, we discuss Ani's journey from a diverse career in tech and finance to the test kitchen, and how her "no-compromise" approach to ingredients is making a tangible difference in people's lives. Inside the Episode: How Ani's lifelong love for healthy eating met the reality of motherhood, leading her to realize she could batch-cook and freeze these nutritious meals for life on the go. Ani's background in climate tech and financial services, and how it influences her innovative approach to product development and business operations. The strategy behind expanding into grocery stores throughout the Northeast and building a brand that busy families trust. Find Nurtured with Nature Near You! 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.

    26 min

  4. APR 13

    Bake Me Healthy

    When Kimberle Lau became lactose and egg intolerant and faced a high risk for breast cancer, she didn't give up on her love for treats; she reinvented them. As an Asian American mom of two, Kimberle turned her personal health journey into a mission-driven business. Today, Bake Me Healthy is a leader in the allergy-friendly space, proving that indulgent baking can be both inclusive and sustainable. By utilizing upcycled ingredients, Kimberle is fighting food waste while ensuring her mixes and cookies are gluten-free, vegan, and free from the top 9 allergens. In this episode, we discuss the courage it takes to pivot careers for a passion project and how Bake Me Healthy is bringing the joy of a delicious, worry-free bite to kitchens everywhere. Inside the Episode: How Kimberle's personal health challenges inspired her to leave the traditional path and build a brand centered on wellness. Why Bake Me Healthy incorporates upcycled ingredients to create a more sustainable food system while maintaining premium flavor. Lessons learned while scaling a brand that reflects her values as a parent and a health advocate. 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.

    28 min

  5. APR 13

    Biologica

    When Liz Zwillinger and her co-founder Joey Zwillinger looked at the supplement industry, they saw a glaring gap in how women's health was being addressed. Most products offered a one-size-fits-all approach, ignoring the profound ways a woman's nutritional needs shift across different life stages. This realization led to the birth of Biologica, a wellness brand dedicated to creating science-backed formulations tailored specifically to reproductive years, perimenopause, and post-menopause. By focusing on the biological realities of hormonal health, Liz is helping women navigate their wellness journeys with clarity and precision. In this episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of building a mission-driven supplement brand and why targeting specific life stages is the future of the women's health category. Inside the Episode: Why Liz and Joey decided to move beyond generic multivitamins to create products that reflect the actual physiological changes women experience over time. The challenges and rewards of developing science-backed formulations in a crowded and often confusing supplement market. Why personalization is no longer a luxury but a necessity for women looking to optimize their long-term health and human performance. 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.

    33 min

  6. APR 13

    Deep Brands

    In 2018, Kiernan Laughlin co-created Deep Indian Kitchen, scaling it into the #1 frozen Indian brand in the U.S. and reaching over 26,000 stores. Building on that success, he created and launched Deep Brands in 2026, a family of cuisine-focused brands dedicated to increasing accessibility for global flavors. As General Manager, Kiernan brings 20 years of CPG leadership from giants like Unilever and Gorton's Seafood to a platform that prioritizes authenticity above all else. Deep Brands, a subsidiary of the three-generation family company Deep Foods Inc, operates with a unique "one cuisine per brand" philosophy. This allows brands like Deep Indian Kitchen and the newly launched Tem Toa (the first frozen brand dedicated exclusively to Thai cuisine) to represent their cultures with bold, restaurant-quality flavors. In this episode, we discuss the commitment to making products from scratch using traditional recipes and how every purchase supports the Deepkiran Foundation to provide education for children in rural India. Inside the Episode: The operational complexity of using traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients to replicate a true restaurant experience at home in minutes. Kiernan's strategic roadmap used to take Deep Indian Kitchen from a 2018 launch to the top-selling frozen Indian brand in America. A look at the 2026 launch of the first frozen food brand dedicated exclusively to Thai cuisine and the challenge of bringing those specific flavors to the freezer aisle. Shop Tem Toa 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.

    31 min

  7. APR 6

    Blurr Bureau

    Jessica Dimcevski didn't set out to build another bloated, political agency. As the Founder and Creative Director of Blurr Bureau, she created an independently owned global brand studio designed to move at the high-velocity speed modern founders actually need. Operating between New York and Australia, Jessica has pioneered a "venture partner" model that assembles world-class talent specifically for each project, ensuring that every brand she touches reaches its full creative and commercial potential. From high-growth CPG to global entertainment spaces, Jessica's work is defined by a "culturally-led" approach that drives real-world results. Whether it's launching Flings—the snack brand that famously outsold Pop-Tarts in velocity within weeks of hitting Target shelves—or serving as the preferred venue branding partner for Live Nation globally, Jessica is proving that brands shouldn't just look good; they should challenge their entire category. Inside the Episode: Why Jessica ditched the traditional agency model for a streamlined, high-impact studio that prioritizes speed and world-class talent. The creative process behind crafting the brand worlds for Society De La Rassi, Yes! Apples, and the global wellness brand Bed Intentions. Jessica's philosophy on building "velocity-driven" brands that scale into massive commercial wins. Connect 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.

    34 min

  8. APR 6

    Nara Organics

    When Esther Hallam couldn't find a clean, organic formula option for her own daughter, she didn't just settle for what was on the shelf; she used her decades of product management expertise to build a better one. With a career spanning giants like Google, Gilt, and Travelocity, Esther applied the same rigorous problem-solving approach to the nursery. Today, as the Founder and CEO of Nara Organics, she is setting a new global benchmark for what we feed our children. Nara Organics is a pioneering brand featuring the first-of-its-kind USDA-certified organic whole milk formula. By ditching the standard fillers like palm oil, soy, and corn syrup in favor of whole milk fats and naturally occurring MFGM for brain development, Esther is providing parents with a Clean Label certified alternative that actually mimics nature. In this episode, we discuss her journey from Y Combinator to the forefront of the infant nutrition revolution and how she's supporting over 1 million parents through the Nara Baby ecosystem. Inside the Episode: How Esther's background at Google and Jetblack prepared her to navigate the highly regulated world of infant formula. Why Nara is manufactured in Germany to meet the highest safety and quality standards, including over 2,000 tests for purity and an FDA registration. Why Esther refused to settle for industry-standard shortcuts, leading to a formula with no palm oil, no soy, and no corn syrup. 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.

    23 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
    281
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Emerging Brands Podcast

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