Emerging Brands Podcast

Kelly Bennett
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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. 2D AGO

    DEFI Snacks

    Tatyana Jones is a true powerhouse in the CPG world. After managing a $500M snacking portfolio at Mars Wrigley and turning around massive innovation portfolios at GSK, she realized the $27B chocolate category was missing something vital: a high-protein option that didn't taste like a compromise. Leveraging years of big-brand firepower and an NYU Stern MBA, Tatyana founded DEFI Snacks to shatter the idea that "healthy" has to be boring. DEFI—short for Delicious Energizing Fitness Indulgence—is a woman-owned revolution in the chocolate aisle. Each gluten-free, grain-free bite delivers 25g+ of clean protein using premium chocolate and sprouted organic buckwheat. By ditching fake sugars and prioritizing satiety, Tatyana is proving that decadent dessert can actually be functional fuel. With a mission that extends beyond the bag, DEFI also gives back by donating 1% of profitable sales to support fellow female entrepreneurs. Inside the Episode: How Tatyana's experience managing global brands at Mars Wrigley and GSK prepared her to disrupt the competitive chocolate space. The science behind using sprouted organic buckwheat and clean protein to create a snack that keeps you full without a sugar crash. Tatyana's strategic approach to spotting white space in the market and building a brand with a mission-driven heart. 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.

    36 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Motif

    Michael Zabar's culinary roots run deep. As a fourth-generation member of the family behind the iconic NYC deli, Zabar's, Michael's first job was scooping coffee for customers. After a successful career in tech and e-commerce at Walmart, he felt a pull back to his roots. The spark came from his own kitchen, where he and his wife began crafting homemade syrups to fix a problem in the market: coffee syrups that were packed with processed sugar, artificial dyes, and preservatives. This led to the creation of Motif, a clean-label alternative designed for the discerning coffee drinker. Motif offers a sophisticated, preservative-free experience with 70% less sugar than leading brands, proving that you don't have to sacrifice health for flavor. By blending his heritage in NYC retail with a modern, health-conscious perspective, Michael is redefining what we add to our morning cup. Inside the Episode: Michael's journey from scooping coffee at the family deli to scaling e-commerce at Walmart, and why he eventually returned to the food world. The challenges and triumphs of creating a high-quality, shelf-stable syrup with 70% less sugar and zero preservatives. How Michael uses his family's legacy of quality to inform a modern, health-forward beverage brand. Stay tuned for the next drop! 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

  3. 2D AGO

    SIPPL Mixology

    Healthy living shouldn't mean sitting out on the social moments you love. Created by Parker Papaccio, SIPPL Mixology (Simple. Supplemental. Sipping.) was built on the belief that the best lives prioritize balance over restriction. By creating a functional margarita mix that lives in the "gray area" where wellness meets real life, SIPPL is proving you can care about how you feel without sacrificing a great cocktail. Made with all-natural ingredients and lightly sweetened with agave, SIPPL delivers a premium taste with just 4g of sugar. But it's what's inside that sets it apart: a subtle boost of B vitamins and green tea extract that supports your body while you sip. Designed for those who want a better-for-you option that actually tastes incredible, Parker is redefining the modern margarita one functional pour at a time. Inside the Episode: How Parker built a brand for the health-conscious consumer who still values social rituals and great mixology. The challenge of formulating a mix with B vitamins and green tea extract that maintains a classic, clean margarita flavor. How to achieve a premium cocktail experience with only 4g of sugar and zero artificial sweeteners. Stay tuned for the launch! 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. FEB 9

    Staff

    After years as a Guinness World Records judge and advertising executive, Charlie Weisman realized that the household items we use every day are often dull and uninspired. While stuck in his NYC apartment during the pandemic, he founded Staff to bring joy to the mundane. By reimagining functional tools with bold colors, unique materials, and helpful characters, Charlie is turning overlooked essentials into high-design conversation pieces. Staff peps up living spaces by adding personality to chores, starting with its disruptive first product, The Plunger—a nostalgic nod to Charlie's grandfather's plumbing career. By humanizing the tools in our homes, the brand proves that practicality and amusement can live in the same space. Inside the Episode: How Charlie's background in advertising and as a Guinness World Records judge shaped his eye for disruptive storytelling. Why giving functional products a personality and a name creates a deeper emotional connection with customers. How Charlie honored his family history by launching a high-end version of the most overlooked tool in the house. 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.

    26 min

  5. FEB 9

    Strategy Before Spend: How to Avoid the Most Expensive Pre-Launch Mistakes

    Before you lock in a co-manufacturer, print packaging, or order your first production run… pause. In this solo episode, I'm walking through the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes I see first-time CPG food & beverage founders make — and how brand strategy should guide every decision before you spend a dollar on inventory. Because your logo, packaging, flavors, and even your brand name shouldn't come first. Strategy does. Inside the Episode: Why you shouldn't design packaging too soon Why it's too early to pick your brand name How to nail your category positioning How strategy should inform flavor choices How to test messaging before launch And what to clarify before committing to a production run If you're pre-launch and about to invest serious money into formulation, packaging, or manufacturing, this episode will save you time, money, and a lot of rework. Consider this your pre-launch checklist — from product idea → brand people want to shop. Build your strategy with me! 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. FEB 9

    The Founder Mindset: Why Strategy Outperforms Hustle Pre-Launch

    In this solo episode, I'm breaking down the founder mindset I've seen make or break brands before they ever hit shelves. After 15+ years working alongside hundreds of founders — and currently supporting 20+ pre-launch brands coming to market this year — I've learned that success isn't about doing more. It's about getting clear first. Inside the Episode: Why strategy should come before packaging or production My honest take on founder-led content (pros, cons, and what actually works) How retailers and investors are watching your content pre-launch Why you should test before raising money How to make smarter decisions with discernment, not noise And how to build offline buzz, community, and real traction before you launch If you're a first-time founder feeling overwhelmed by everything you "should" be doing, this episode will help you slow down, focus, and build a brand people actually want to shop. Think of this as your pre-launch mindset reset. Build your brand with me! 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.

    43 min

  7. FEB 2

    Afternoon Toast

    Kimmy Pace, a former technology consultant, turned her lifelong struggle with chronic dehydration and gut sensitivity into a mission after discovering Korean roasted barley tea in a novel. Realizing that most "better-for-you" drinks were too sugary or carbonated for her system, she began brewing her own at home. This gentle, grounding ritual became the foundation for a beverage brand designed for those seeking hydration without the digestive stress. Afternoon Toast is a line of ready-to-drink, caffeine-free teas crafted from steeped ginger and roasted barley. With a unique nutty and toasty flavor profile, the brand offers a sugar-free, non-carbonated alternative that supports digestion and eases bloating through natural fiber. By prioritizing calm over carbonation, Kimmy is redefining functional hydration as a soothing, everyday ritual. Inside the Episode: The story of how a fictional ritual involving Korean barley tea sparked a real-world solution for chronic health challenges. Why Afternoon Toast focuses on a non-carbonated, fiber-rich profile to support sensitive systems. The tactical steps Kimmy took to move from a home-brewed ritual to a commercial product, including how she vetted advisors and structured her pre-launch operations. Join the Waitlist! 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

  8. FEB 2

    Launch Lab

    Danielle Calabrese is a CPG powerhouse with over 16 years of experience scaling brands from zero to $40M and guiding more than 100 founders to collective sales of over $100M. Known for her "build smarter, not harder" philosophy, Danielle has secured dozens of SKUs with top-tier retailers and distributors, making her one of the industry's most sought-after advisors for navigating the complex journey from kitchen table to retail shelf. As the creator of Launch Lab, Danielle has developed a 10-week, cohort-based program designed to take early-stage founders through a proven, step-by-step framework for a profitable launch. The program is deeply execution-focused, providing direct feedback on everything from margins and operations to go-to-market strategy. By combining real-time guidance with access to a private community of experts, Danielle ensures that first-time founders avoid costly mistakes and launch with the confidence of a seasoned industry veteran. Inside the Episode: Danielle's "build smarter, not harder" approach to scaling brands and securing high-value retail partnerships. A look inside the 10-week roadmap that moves founders from an initial concept to a profitable, retail-ready business. How direct feedback and a peer network can accelerate growth and prevent the most common (and expensive) launch errors. Register for Launch Lab! 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
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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
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    254
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Emerging Brands Podcast