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. 6 DAYS AGO

    Lundberg Family Farms

    As a third generation farmer and VP of Agriculture, Bryce Lundberg continues a legacy that began in 1937: a promise to leave the land better than he found it. Alongside him, CEO Suzanne Sengelmann leverages 30 years of brand building expertise, including leadership roles at Clorox and Angie's Boomchickapop, to transform this nearly 100 year old family farm into a consumer relevant powerhouse. Together, they have positioned Lundberg Family Farms as a leading U.S. Regenerative Organic Certified® brand, proving that land restoring practices and premium taste go hand in hand. The farm's commitment to habitat preservation and soil health is matched only by Suzanne's mission to make the brand behave with the agility of a startup. Bryce and Suzanne share how the Lundberg family tends to soil, air, and wildlife as carefully as their crops, and how a purpose driven strategy is bringing high quality rice varieties and snacks to a new generation of conscious eaters. Inside the Episode: Bryce shares the specific farming practices that allow Lundberg to restore land and preserve habitats while growing award winning rice.  Suzanne discusses the strategic transformation of a multi-generational family business into a modern, consumer facing brand.  The importance of maintaining a single, "true north" purpose when scaling a business that prioritizes the environment as much as the bottom line. 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.

    32 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Smood Sweets

    Co-founders Oliver Sindlev and Frederic Naayem are longtime food and beverage entrepreneurs who noticed a persistent problem in the confection aisle. For too long, "healthier" candy felt like a compromise in flavor, while legacy brands remained stuck in a cycle of artificial ingredients and refined sugars. To bridge this gap, they launched Smood Sweets, a modern brand that uses real fruit as the hero ingredient to deliver the nostalgic taste and texture of classic candy. Best known for its candy-coated dates, Smood Sweets has already made a massive splash with a nationwide launch at Target. Oliver and Frederic are challenging legacy players by sitting at the intersection of better-for-you and fun-for-you, proving that nature can be brought back into the candy bowl without losing the joy of indulgence. Inside the Episode: Why Oliver and Frederic chose the date as the foundation for their candy and how they achieved a texture that rivals traditional sweets. The founders share their journey of developing a product that satisfies both health-conscious requirements and the craving for true indulgence. How their previous experience in functional foods allowed them to identify and solve overlooked gaps in the candy market. 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.

    21 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Yough!

    When one of Yough!'s co-founders was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and told he would have to give up pizza, he knew there had to be a better way. This challenge led him to the viral two-ingredient dough trend, which sparked the creation of a brand that rethinks frozen favorites through the power of Greek yogurt. Together, co-founders Michael Rolland and Jason Miller have built a better-for-you food brand that prioritizes high protein and clean, simple ingredients without losing the light, fluffy texture that pizza lovers crave. By utilizing a first-of-its-kind Greek yogurt dough, Yough! delivers 40 to 50g of protein and fewer calories than traditional options. Michael and Jason are driving the brand's rapid momentum through playful branding and an engaging online community, leading to a nationwide presence in Target and Sprouts Farmers Market as they continue their mission to make pizza accessible for everyone. Inside the Episode: How a personal health journey with Ulcerative Colitis served as the catalyst for creating a gut-friendly, high-protein alternative to traditional dough. Why the combination of Greek yogurt and simple ingredients creates a nutritional profile of 40 to 50g of protein while maintaining a light texture.  Michael and Jason discuss their strategy for using fun, engaging content to build a loyal community in the competitive frozen food aisle. 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.

    42 min

  4. 20 APR

    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

  5. 20 APR

    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

  6. 20 APR

    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

  7. 13 APR

    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

  8. 13 APR

    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
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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
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    284
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Emerging Brands Podcast

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