Podcast · 146 episodes

Emerging Brands Podcast

by Kelly Bennett · English

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.

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Latest episodes

Pet Life UnlimitedPet Life Unlimited’s origin and go-to-market strategy for pet care, plus how the brand uses consumer research to evolve products and messaging.28 Sep 2026 · 27 min

AmaraFounder story of Amara, a kids food brand built from food technology and child-development science to bridge the gap between healthy goals and processed snacks.21 Sep 2026 · 23 min

The Cumin ClubThe Cumin Club’s origin and scaling strategy for freeze-dried, authentic Indian meals—moving from D2C to Amazon and retail, plus advice for emerging CPG founders.10 Aug 2026 · 24 min

All episodes

Pet Life UnlimitedPet Life Unlimited’s origin and go-to-market strategy for pet care, plus how the brand uses consumer research to evolve products and messaging.28 Sep 2026 · 27 min · 7 chapters

AmaraFounder story of Amara, a kids food brand built from food technology and child-development science to bridge the gap between healthy goals and processed snacks.21 Sep 2026 · 23 min · 8 chapters

MunchkinMunchkin’s 35-year origin and its new infant formula expansion, including the “full circle feeding solution” that supports breastfeeding and formula feeding, plus how the brand ensures safety and…22 Jun 2026 · 22 min · 10 chapters

WILDEWild Protein Snacks’ origin and scaling story—replacing potato chips with chicken breast/bone broth-based “wild potato,” then expanding into a Cheez-It-style protein cracker.22 Jun 2026 · 28 min · 11 chapters

SIMPLiHow Simply (eatsimplywithanivn.com) built trust over six years by sourcing regenerative organic quinoa/legumes, scaling through food service, then retail, and now adding D2C; what changed in…22 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 15 chapters

Little LatkeLittle Latka’s origin and scaling journey from a family latke recipe to shelf-stable “latke crisp” snacks, including reformulation, co-packer customization, and retail expansion advice.15 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 13 chapters

CPG Founders & Fundraising: A Live Recording From NY Tech WeekLive NY Tech Week panel on angel investing and fundraising for emerging CPG (food & beverage) brands, plus early-stage tactics and investor “green flags/red flags.” Guests: Kelley Bennett (host; NYC…15 Jun 2026 · 47 min · 18 chapters

ESW BeautyESW Beauty’s origin and retail scale—building a wellness-inspired, clean, clinically effective K-beauty skincare brand, bootstrapping to 19,000+ doors, then preparing for Series A fundraising and…15 Jun 2026 · 32 min · 15 chapters

SURISuri’s “sustainable rituals” electric toothbrush brand—how founder Giv Safavi built an enjoyable, design-forward oral care product, validated it with scrappy consumer research, and scaled from DTC to…8 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters

Stone & SkilletStone & Skillet’s origin and retail expansion strategy for New England–style English muffins, including how they entered Whole Foods, positioned in the bakery category, handled shelf-life/price…8 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 11 chapters

ScoopsLiz Lane, founder/CEO of Scoops, discusses how her peanut-based protein powder brand differentiated itself, got into Target, and plans influencer and retail expansion.8 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 13 chapters

SFT ConsultingFractional CFO guidance for early-stage CPG food and beverage brands—how to set unit economics for retail, plan fundraising and working capital, and manage trade spend/deductions to avoid cash-flow…1 Jun 2026 · 43 min · 11 chapters

NormsNorms, an “embarrassing self-care” brand that normalizes hemorrhoids and plans to expand to other intimate issues (gas/bloating, antifungal needs, styes, anti-itch).1 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 10 chapters

PACHAHow Pacha (San Diego-based) scaled its regenerative, organic, gluten-free, plant-based bread into national retail while keeping digestive comfort and sustainability claims intact—especially via…1 Jun 2026 · 33 min · 18 chapters

BoarderieBordery’s edible gifting business—fully arranged, ready-to-eat cheese/charcuterie boards shipped nationwide, plus a newer dessert line—how they built demand, scaled DTC, and solved packaging/product…25 May 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters

Yes Way RoséHow Yes Way Rosé built a rosé wine brand from a 2013 lifestyle/social media account and merch, then scaled into multiple SKUs and national retail (including Target), reaching #4 overall rosé in the…25 May 2026 · 27 min · 9 chapters

Legally Addictive FoodsLegally Addictive Foods’ “Christmas crack” style snack cookies—re-engineered for shelf stability—and how the founder scaled from home/Etsy to regional Whole Foods and JetBlue, plus tactics for food…25 May 2026 · 32 min · 14 chapters

FaireFAIR’s wholesale-to-platform model for helping independent retailers and emerging consumer brands discover each other, reduce transaction risk, and manage orders and relationships.18 May 2026 · 31 min · 13 chapters

Better SourBetter Sour’s origin and go-to-market for “sour gummy candy for foodies,” plus a new Whole Foods tropical line extension and founder advice for early CPG brands.18 May 2026 · 27 min · 6 chapters

PlantPaperPlant Paper’s origin and go-to-market for “better-for-you” toilet paper and tissues, combining environmental/health claims with adult, non-euphemistic branding and a D2C subscription experience.18 May 2026 · 33 min · 15 chapters

Love&CookiesLove & Cookies’ origin story and scaling journey from home baking to CPG freezer cookies, plus lessons on manufacturing, retail distribution, margins, and certifications.11 May 2026 · 28 min · 17 chapters

GIRSuze Dowling, co-founder/chief brand officer of Pattern Brands, explains how Pattern builds a “family” of home-focused brands using shared services, and how Gear joined the portfolio via acquisition…11 May 2026 · 29 min · 9 chapters

Lunr CapitalLunar Capital provides non-dilutive inventory financing for emerging consumer brands scaling into major retail (Target, Walmart, Costco, natural grocery banners, Sephora).11 May 2026 · 29 min · 12 chapters