Emerging Brands Podcast

In this solo episode of Emerging Brands Podcast®, I'm taking you behind the scenes of building a brand strategy that can turn an early-stage idea into a standout CPG brand. I share how I help first-time, bootstrapping food & beverage founders create a clear roadmap for success—one that earns shelf space, generates buzz, and connects deeply with consumers. From crafting a compelling brand story and...

Kif was founded by Caroline Brain, the fermentation fan girl herself—a Midwest native with a tenacious entrepreneurial spirit. Passionate about ethical food systems, holistic health, and gut-friendly living, Caroline blends culinary craft with strategy to make gut health delicious. Born and brewed in Los Angeles, Kif crafts kefir water using only real, natural ingredients, delivering a probiotic-p...

Sababa Foods was founded by Amy Dell, a passionate food entrepreneur with deep roots in Middle Eastern foods. With a background in marketing, hospitality, and customer service, Amy is on a mission to make authentic, high-quality Middle Eastern flavors accessible for modern kitchens. Sababa Foods offers convenient, nutritious options that bring families and food lovers together over delicious meals...

Kelly Anne Parker is a self-funded founder who built Send Ribbon, a corporate gifting company, from the ground up—all the way to acquisition by UrbanStems in 2020. Now, through her advisory firm Launch Grow Exit , Kelly helps fellow founders navigate the full lifecycle of being a founder, from getting started to scaling and preparing for a successful exit. She's on a mission to demystify the found...

Danielle Calabrese is a seasoned CPG strategist, advisor, and two-time founder with over 16 years of hands-on experience launching and scaling food and beverage brands. From Juice Served Here to De La Calle Tepache, she's led high-growth teams across sales, operations, and marketing—and now channels that expertise into her own agency, It's All Happening . Through her Launch Lab course and Women in...

Krista D'Archi and Jake Block are the co-founders of Eat Senza, an allergen-friendly food brand on a mission to make eating with dietary restrictions easier—and more joyful. After 10 years in creative roles, the duo made the leap from supporting brands to building their own. The result? A bold, confident take on allergen-free comfort food, starting with their debut product: Lil Pastina —a gluten-f...

In this episode, I'm joined by Steph Hon, founder and CEO of Cadence —a pioneering consumer systems brand redefining how we store and carry the essentials. With a vision to transform the everyday with the same level of intention and innovation as Apple or Dyson, Steph launched Cadence in 2020 to bring form, function, and sustainability into the personal care category. Cadence creates beautifully d...

In this episode, I'm joined by Hailey Yaffa, founder of DateWorthy —a frozen, date-based snack brand redefining what indulgence looks like with real, high-quality ingredients. Hailey moved to NYC post-grad and began her career in finance before pivoting to create something more meaningful. With a lifelong sweet tooth and a personal history of disordered eating, she became passionate about raising...

In this episode, I'm joined by Alyzeh Rizvi, co-founder and CEO of Peepal People —a bold, modern South Asian pantry brand reimagining traditional condiments for the way we eat today. With a background in architecture and product design from RISD, Alyzeh spent years leading brand innovation and impact-driven research at IDEO.org and the Gates Foundation, working with clients like Gallo, Smoothie Ki...

n this episode, I'm joined by Lauren Picasso, CEO and founder of Cure Hydration —the only science-backed, plant-based electrolyte mix with no added sugar. A Harvard MBA and triathlete, Lauren's own struggle with hydration led her to create a clean, better-for-you solution she couldn't find on the shelf. She launched Cure in 2019, and today it's one of the fastest-growing brands in the category, re...

n this episode, I'm joined by Maura Duggan, founder of Fancypants Baking Co. , a brand baking cookies that feel downright good—made with real, recognizable ingredients and a whole lot of heart. After earning a master's degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard, Maura found herself drawn back to baking as a way to shake off the stress. Since 2004, Maura has grown Fancypants into a company k...

In this episode, I'm joined by Jessica Hamel, founder of PlantChi —a brand on a mission to make wellness effortless, rebellious, and packed with real plant power. With over 20 years in branding and experience as a former CPG founder, Jessica is also an ultra-runner and competitive sailor—her drive and passion for performance deeply inform how she approaches nutrition and product development today....

In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Covarrubias, Mexican-American chef and founder of Cien Chiles , a brand bringing the vibrant flavors of her childhood to kitchens everywhere. Inspired by the wisdom of her Abuela and a desire to share her cultural heritage, Maria created a line of hot sauces that do more than bring heat—they celebrate flavor, creativity, and culture. Inside the Episode: How Mar...

In this episode, I'm joined by Amos Golan, founder and CEO of Chunk , a company redefining what's possible in plant-based meat through cutting-edge fermentation technology. Amos brings an impressive background spanning organic chemistry, human-computer interaction, agtech, biotech, and food innovation—including time leading Ferrero's Open Innovation team. He's also a trained chef with a personal p...

In this episode, I'm joined by Celena Ruiz, Category Manager at Fresh Thyme Market , where she oversees the poultry and seafood departments and plays a key role in bringing fresh, innovative products to shelves. Celena is passionate about supporting local businesses and helping emerging brands succeed in a competitive retail environment. We dive into what category managers look for when evaluating...

In this episode, I'm joined by Angie Tran, co-founder of Kind Laundry —a modern laundry care brand on a mission to make laundry better for the planet, pets, and people. Angie's path to entrepreneurship began after more than a decade in corporate marketing, followed by an early investment in a healthy fast-food chain. But it was ecommerce and the CPG wellness space that captured her heart—and where...

In this episode, I'm joined by Laurel Orley, CEO and co-founder of Daily Crunch Snacks —a women-owned, Inc. 5000 snack company shaking up the category with its Uniquely Crunchy™ sprouted nut snacks. Laurel brings over 15 years of marketing experience, much of it at Unilever, where she led flagship brands like Dove and Hellmann's before launching Daily Crunch in March 2020. Daily Crunch satisfies t...

In this episode, I'm joined by Shanice Black, co-founder of Ting A Ling —a Caribbean-inspired food brand bringing bold, authentic Jamaican flavors to kitchens everywhere. Shanice is on a mission to make Caribbean cuisine more accessible while honoring tradition and delivering clean, better-for-you ingredients. Ting A Ling's vibrant line of sauces and marinades captures the spirit of the islands, a...

In this episode, I'm joined by Tenley Fitzgerald, Vice President of Marketing at Yes! Apples —a bold, modern apple brand with deep roots in New York agriculture. With over 100 years in the apple business, Yes! Apples is a network of 50+ family farms growing more than 10 high-quality varieties—and stands out as the only female-run apple organization in the country. Tenley began working with the tea...

In this episode, I'm joined by Derek Springston, CEO and Managing Partner of Moxie Sozo —the award-winning, Boulder-based branding and design agency celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Derek's journey is a true creative arc: he started as an unpaid intern and worked his way up to lead the agency that now serves some of the most disruptive brands across food, beverage, and beyond. Under his...

In this episode, I'm joined by Kristy Snyder, lifelong educator and co-founder of the Enthuse Foundation —an organization dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in the CPG space through education, community, and funding. Kristy's passion for teaching and mentorship has been a constant throughout her career, and with Enthuse Foundation, she's helping create access and opportunity for the next...

In this episode, I'm joined by Jeni Britton, celebrated entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and founder of the iconic Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams . Now, she's channeling her creativity and industry insight into her latest venture: Floura & Co. , a brand on a mission to change the way we think about food waste—and fiber. Floura reinvents fresh produce trimmings as delicious, nutrient-d...

In this episode, I'm joined by Larry Yu , founder of Sage Matcha —a brand on a mission to bring the magic of ceremonial-grade matcha to your daily routine, no matter how busy life gets. Originally from New Jersey, Larry's love for matcha started in high school. But it was during his time at NYU Tisch—navigating long hours, creative hustle, and constant movement—that the idea for a more convenient,...

In this episode, I'm joined by Keya Wingfield , award-winning pastry chef, Food Network Baking Champion, and founder of Keya's Snacks —a bold, flavor-packed snack brand redefining the chip aisle through cultural representation and culinary excellence. Originally from Mumbai, Keya moved to the U.S. without ever having used an oven—only to become a sought-after pastry chef and culinary instructor. D...

In this episode, I'm joined by Regina Trillo, founder of Nemi Snacks —a boldly flavored snack brand rooted in Mexican heritage with clean ingredients. Originally from Mexico City and now based in Chicago, Regina launched Nemi Snacks after feeling unrepresented in the grocery aisle. She saw Mexican culture reduced to stereotypes and products packed with artificial ingredients—and knew there was a b...