Emerging Brands Podcast

Hosted by Kelly Bennett

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Episodes

300

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 202631 min

ESW Beauty

The clean beauty category is fiercely competitive, but Elina Wang, Founder and CEO of ESW Beauty, has navigated the noise by creating a brand that bridges food-derived ingredients with clinical performance. Inspired by her personal healing journey, Elina launched the brand with a signature sensorial touch, scaling it into the #1 natural mask brand in the United States. Today, their clean formulations, like the best-selling Pink Dream Raw Juice Face Mask, line the shelves of over 19,000 stores nationwide including Whole Foods Market, Target, Walgreens, and Sprouts. In this episode, Elina is joined by Amy Kapolnek, Founder of the fwrd group and Fractional CMO of ESW Beauty, to break down the mechanics behind this explosive retail growth. Drawing on Amy's two decades of brand-building experience for powerhouses like Gucci Beauty and Olay, they discuss how to build a highly functional founder-executive partnership, manage an omni-channel retail footprint, and launch new product categories like their recent Infused Water Facial Mists. Inside the Episode: How Elina's personal health struggles inspired her to launch ESW Beauty, creating a wellness-focused skincare line that fuses clean, food-grade ingredients with clinically proven results. A look at how Elina focused on clean formulas made in Korea, and how her intrigue with whole-foods skincare directly shaped the vibrant, health-conscious branding of the entire company. Amy's perspective into the shifting landscape for indie brands, including why investors are prioritizing profitability, a sustainable financial runway, and proven traction across multiple retail and digital channels. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 15, 202625 min

Little Latke

Taylor Blue, Founder and CEO of Little Latke, has introduced an entirely new category to the crowded snack aisle by taking inspiration from a beloved family recipe. Inspired by the coveted, golden crispy edges of a traditional family latke, Taylor created the world's first shelf-stable potato crisp. By combining real shredded potatoes and a subtle hint of onion with modern clean-label standards, including gluten-free, non-GMO, and seed-oil-free ingredients, Little Latke successfully transforms a seasonal heritage food into a highly versatile, everyday snack. In this episode, Taylor dives into the creative and operational journey of bringing a heritage-inspired product to the mass market. She shares how she identified a major gap in the salty snack aisle, the technical challenges of capturing the distinct texture of a fried latke in a shelf-stable baked crisp, and the branding strategies required to make a culturally rooted food accessible, exciting, and craveable for every type of consumer. Inside the Episode: Taylor discusses how she looked outside standard snack trends to find inspiration in her own family traditions, creating a brand-new product format for the chip aisle. How Little Latke balances honoring cultural heritage with positioning the brand as a modern, approachable everyday snack for a mainstream audience. Practical operational takeaways from a founder launching an entirely new product concept into competitive retail spaces. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 15, 202647 min

CPG Founders & Fundraising: A Live Recording From NY Tech Week

The fundraising landscape for consumer brands has completely shifted, moving away from hyper-growth milestones and focusing heavily on sustainable scale, margin efficiency, and true omni-channel traction. This episode was recorded live during NY Tech Week, bringing together the leading investment voices who are actively shaping the next generation of consumer and early-stage capital. I sat down with Kelley Arena, Founder and Managing Partner of Golden Hour Ventures, and Annie Evans, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Dream Ventures, for a transparent look at what it actually takes to back and build a successful consumer brand in today's market. Captured in front of an audience of builders and backers within the New York tech and startup ecosystem, this panel moves past surface-level pitch advice to deliver hard, tactical truths. Together, we unpack how early-stage operators can cut through the noise to catch an investor's eye, the reality of building long-term institutional relationships, and how modern founders are successfully leveraging specialized, community-driven ecosystems like HALO and the Dream Ventures network to secure capital with confidence and clarity. Inside the Episode: An honest assessment of how the macroeconomic landscape has changed funding cycles for early-stage CPG, and what metrics investors are prioritizing right now. The exact elements that differentiate a generic pitch from a compelling, data-backed brand story that commands investor confidence. Observations on the current energy, collaboration, and opportunities driving the Northeast startup market for consumer goods and tech-enabled platforms. Contact Golden Hour Ventures! Learn More About Dream Ventures Accelerator! 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 8, 202625 min

Scoops

The functional food space is booming, but many protein options on the shelf still rely on artificial ingredients, heavy sugars, or outdated branding. Liz Lane, Founder and CEO of Scoops, is changing that by unlocking an overlooked, high-performance ingredient: peanuts. Scoops uses a proprietary peanut protein isolate exclusive to the brand to deliver an impressive 27g of protein, 5g of fiber, and just 3g of sugar per serving—beating out the macros of every leading competitor without a single artificial ingredient. In this episode, Liz shares how her background as the former Head of Operations at Magic Spoon and the first US operations hire at Huel prepared her to launch and scale a major retail brand. She discusses the operational grit required to secure exclusive ingredients, the strategy behind designing a high-protein brand tailored to today's female consumer, and the exact roadmap that landed Scoops on the shelves of Target nationwide. Inside the Episode: Liz breaks down the operational lessons she brought from her foundational roles at powerhouse CPG brands like Magic Spoon and Huel. Why Scoops intentional branding and superior macro profile are shaking up a category historically dominated by hyper-masculine marketing. The logistics, operations, and cross-functional strategy behind preparing for a nationwide launch into Target. Find Scoops 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 8, 202626 min

Stone & Skillet

For decades, the English muffin category has been dominated by mass-produced, uniform options that lack character and texture. Cameron Meekins, Co-Founder and CEO of Stone & Skillet, set out to change that by proving this breakfast staple deserves the exact same care, craft, and premium ingredients as high-end artisan bread. What started as a passion project in a small Boston apartment kitchen has evolved into a powerhouse, nationally distributed brand bringing handmade, premium English muffins to grocery stores and breakfast tables across America. In this episode, Cameron shares the journey of building a food brand from scratch alongside his brothers and friends. He discusses the operational realities of scaling a handmade, artisanal product without losing its premium quality, the lessons learned while expanding from a local favorite to national retail shelves, and how staying true to a core craft philosophy can completely revitalize a legacy grocery category. Inside the Episode: How treating the humble English muffin like artisan bread allowed the brand to carve out a premium niche in a sleepy grocery aisle. The unique dynamics, rewards, and challenges of scaling a high-growth CPG brand alongside brothers and close friends. Insights into managing inventory, building retail relationships, and standing out on competitive store shelves over a decade of growth. Find Stone & Skillet 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 8, 202629 min

SURI

Gyve Safavi, Co-Founder and CEO of SURI, is tackling an industry-wide waste problem head-on with a mission to transform oral care for both people and the planet. SURI creates beautifully designed, elevated everyday essentials that shift the focus from cheap disposability to long-term sustainability. Their award-winning electric toothbrush features a sleek, durable aluminum body and recyclable plant-based heads, proving that everyday consumer products can be both premium and planet-friendly. In this episode, Gyve shares how his extensive corporate background, including leading brand management for a £500M Gillette business at Procter & Gamble, as well as roles at AKQA and WPP, prepared him to launch a disruptive sustainable hardware brand. He discusses the complex logistics of manufacturing and recycling sustainable consumer goods, the marketing strategies required to change entrenched consumer habits, and how SURI balances sleek, high-end aesthetics with rigid environmental responsibility. Inside the Episode: Gyve highlights the staggering environmental impact of traditional toothbrushes and how SURI is actively engineering waste out of the personal care routine. Key operational and marketing takeaways from Gyve's eight years at Procter & Gamble and how managing an international enterprise brand translates to scaling a startup. How SURI embodies the philosophy of "fewer, simpler, and better products" to win consumer loyalty and industry awards without compromising on aesthetics. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 1, 202633 min

PACHA

It is rare to find a food brand founded by a climate scientist, but Maddie Hamann is using her scientific background to completely change how we think about a kitchen staple. As Co-Founder and Director of Marketing at PACHA Bread, Maddie transitioned from a career in Earth Science (holding a PhD from the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography) to marketing because she wanted to make a direct, immediate impact on climate change through the business world. By stripping bread down to its absolute essentials, PACHA has created a Certified Organic, gluten-free buckwheat sourdough using just two simple ingredients: sprouted buckwheat and sea salt. Maddie joins the show to discuss how she translates complex environmental science into a compelling brand narrative, why soil health is the key to the future of food, and what it takes to build a truly sustainable CPG brand from the soil up. Inside the Episode: Maddie shares her journey of leaving academia and Earth Science to fight climate change directly through sustainable food entrepreneurship. How PACHA engineered a delicious, allergen-friendly sourdough without any of the binders, fillers, seed oils, or preservatives that dominate the gluten-free market. A breakdown of how PACHA communicates deep sustainability values to everyday shoppers without sacrificing the ultimate selling point: making food that tastes incredible. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 1, 202642 min

SFT Consulting

High-growth CPG brands often hit a wall when their sales velocity outpaces their financial infrastructure. Elena Minton, Fractional CFO at SFT Consulting, operates precisely at this high-stakes intersection of finance and operations. With over 20 years of experience, including more than a decade dedicated to natural food and beverage brands, Elena helps founder-led, venture-backed startups scale securely from early-stage ideas to national distribution and successful exits. After building a strong foundation with Fortune 500 companies, Elena made an intentional pivot toward her passion for the better-for-you CPG space, even earning an MA in Food Studies and Policy from NYU. She joins the show to share her tactical approach to protecting margins in high-volume, low-margin retail environments, managing complex trade spend, and building the back-end infrastructure required for sustainable profitability. Inside the Episode: Elena discusses her transition from Fortune 500 finance to the fast-moving world of natural food and beverage startups. How Elena partners cross-functionally with supply chain and sales teams to build standard operating procedures (SOPs) that prevent costly inventory and cash flow mismatches. Why financial literacy and clean data are the ultimate tools for helping founders make confident, long-term strategic choices. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

June 1, 202624 min

Norms

Some of the most common health challenges are the ones people are least likely to talk about, but Carli Roth is on a mission to change that. As Co-Founder and Head of Community at Norms, Carli is bringing empathy, clinical credibility, and real-life relatability to a category that has traditionally been defined by clinical coldness and social stigma: hemorrhoids and "unmentionables." With a powerful background in building networks for women entrepreneurs at the Female Founder Collective, Carli uses her deep expertise as a community builder, investor, and advocate to ensure Norms speaks authentically to women navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and other key life stages. She joins the show to discuss how she is tackling stigmatized self-care, building an inclusive brand voice in a sensitive category, and replacing shame and guesswork with maximum-strength, FDA-compliant relief. Inside the Episode: Carli shares the inspiration behind Norms and how the brand is dismantling the stigma around everyday health issues starting with the butt and moving to the gut. How Carli's experience leading community at the Female Founder Collective and angel investing shaped her tactical approach to launching a consumer product. The strategy behind pairing highly relatable, stigma-free marketing with rigorous, FDA-compliant product development. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!

May 25, 202626 min

Yes Way Rosé

Long before they ever bottled a drop of wine, Erica Small and Nikki Huganir built a rosé-first movement. What started in 2013 as a lifestyle brand fueled by humor, design, and a shared love for pink wine has evolved into a massive consumer favorite. Today, Yes Way Rosé is a category leader, ranking as the fourth best-selling rosé overall in the US with more than 13 million bottles sold. Leveraging their backgrounds in fashion, media, and design, Erica and Nikki have taken a uniquely founder-driven approach to an industry that traditionally takes itself way too seriously. They share how they bridged the gap between a highly engaged digital community and national retail shelves, working alongside strategic partners in the South of France to create a high-quality, crisp, and accessible wine that fits naturally into everyday life. Inside the Episode: How Erica and Nikki cultivated a loyal, humor-driven audience for five years before launching their namesake wine in 2018. The strategy behind building an instantly recognizable brand that uses culturally relevant storytelling and bold design to make great wine feel fun and welcoming. How the brand has thoughtfully expanded its portfolio over the past eight years, moving from traditional bottles to cans, single-serve formats, and their 2026 releases of a non-alcoholic rosé and half bottles. 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. Book a call with the Team to get started!