Emerging Brands Podcast

Date Smarter’s founder, Grace Finerman, knows what it's like to be busy. As a former TV news anchor and reporter, she was constantly on the go and realized the need for food that was both healthy and delicious.  Grace took this realization and created Date Smarter, a brand that's breaking up with unhealthy snacks by proving that healthy eating doesn't have to mean giving up on flavor. Inside the Episode: How Grace's background as a news reporter helped her launch and grow her business The inspiration behind Date Smarter's unique products, including their signature chocolate-covered date caramels Grace's strategy for creating a brand that's both healthy and indulgent Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Sri Kalapala is a snack lover turned founder with a background in healthcare technology, business strategy, and operations. Sri took his background and his passion for snacking to create Kailo, a brand proving that snacks should be both delicious and truly good for you. Kailo is a protein bar crafted for those who value real ingredients — no fillers and no artificial additives. Inside the Episode: How Sri's personal quest for a truly clean snack led to the creation of Kailo The inspiration behind Kailo's packaging, influenced by streetwear, music, and art, and how Sri wanted to use these elements to evoke emotion in his branding Kailo's commitment to using only real, whole ingredients and why it's so critical to their mission Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Samantha Sherman's career started in the fast-paced world of fine dining. From working at an esteemed restaurant in Boston to managing a team for celebrity chef Mario Batali, she quickly found success. But after a decade in the industry, the pandemic prompted her to take a new, more personal path. Samantha leaned into a passion for healthy living and wellness, enrolling in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. What began as a way to meet clients quickly evolved into The Hampton Grocer, a farm-to-front-door delivery service in her new hometown of Montauk. The business eventually grew into a thriving granola company with multiple flavors — all baked with love. Inside the Episode: How Samantha started to get her granola into people's hands by putting her product out at local farmers markets, getting direct feedback from customers that helped her build the brand The pivotal moment of recognizing and embracing a product-market fit, shifting from a delivery service to a focused granola company based on customer demand The importance of strategic growth, scaling a beloved family recipe from small, nine-jar batches to a thriving CPG brand while maintaining quality and authenticity Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!    

Tom Malengo is a true veteran of the CPG industry. With over 40 years of business experience, Tom has become a trusted advisor to hundreds of emerging CPG brands, using his business acumen and genuine desire to help founders navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. Tom is also the co-founder of Brandjectory, a platform that connects emerging CPG founders with the investors and experts who can help them grow. Through a series of monthly virtual meetings, Brandjectory provides crucial education, exposure, and engagement, giving founders the direct support they need. Inside the Episode Why Brandjectory was created and the specific challenges it helps emerging CPG brands solve The key things founders need to know when looking for investment and expert guidance How Brandjectory's model of virtual meetings provides a unique advantage for busy founders and industry professionals Connect! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Quani Burnett brings over 7 years of beauty experience across marketing, community, and influencer partnerships for brands such as Youth to the People, Briogeo, Rhode, Paula’s Choice, and more. After witnessing firsthand how textured hair was underserved in prestige beauty, Quani set out to create a brand that would change that. She founded Soft Rows, a premium textured hair brand created in partnership with Women of Color chemists and cosmetologists, rooted in salon culture, driven by science, and vetted by community. With over 65% of the U.S. population identifying as having textured hair—but only 5% of prestige products catering to it—Soft Rows is reimagining textured hair care with salon-inspired, science-backed solutions designed for every curl type. Inside the Episode: How Quani’s career in beauty inspired her to launch a brand dedicated to textured hair. Blending salon culture, science, and community testing to create effective, innovative formulations. What beauty founders can learn about serving an underserved market with authenticity and intention. Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Claire Matern grew up immersed in New York City's vibrant food scene. Her family ran a specialty food and cheese store for two decades, instilling in her a lifelong mission: to demystify cooking, take the intimidation out of ingredients, and inspire people to get creative in the kitchen. That passion led her to create JONI, a brand that celebrates the unique and versatile ingredient, verjus (pronounced vair-joo). Verjus, which translates to "green juice" in French, is the tart juice from young grapes picked before the main harvest. It’s a centuries-old culinary secret that Joni is bringing to the forefront. Inside the Episode: How Claire's upbringing in her family's food business shaped her entrepreneurial journey The story behind building a brand around a lesser-known ingredient like verjus What founders can learn about building a mission-driven brand that makes niche ingredients approachable and inspiring Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Marc Jonna’s career in the specialty retail and wine industry spans more than two decades. He began in his family’s business, The Merchant of Vino, where he studied wine and specialty foods from a young age and helped expand the company into an eight-store chain. After its acquisition by Whole Foods in 1999, Marc became the company’s National Wine Buyer and later joined the National Leadership Team—playing a pivotal role in elevating Whole Foods into a major wine retailer. In 2006, Marc co-founded Plum Market with his brother, creating a Midwest-based chain that has become a leader in natural, organic, and specialty grocery. In this episode, he shares his journey from family business to national leadership, and the lessons he’s learned about building a modern grocery brand that thrives in today’s competitive market. Inside the Episode: How Marc’s experience at The Merchant of Vino and Whole Foods shaped the vision for Plum Market Philosophy of merchandising natural, organic, and artisanal products Advice for CPG brands on scaling, differentiation, and staying competitive in retail landscape Find Plum Market This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

While working long hours for Oscar-winning producers, Xeba fell seriously ill with a debilitating gut condition. Her healing journey—focused on diet and lifestyle changes—sparked the idea for the snacks she wished existed during her recovery: clean, indulgent, and designed for sensitive stomachs. Preme is a gut health brand that believes true nourishment comes from both premium ingredients and a sense of indulgence. Using prebiotic fiber prescribed by functional medicine doctors, Preme crafts snacks with sensitive stomachs top of mind—helping people feel good while enjoying food they love. Inside the Episode: How Xeba’s personal health journey inspired the creation of Preme How to build a gut-health brand that balances function and flavor What emerging founders can learn about turning personal challenges into breakthrough products Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Ashli Pollard is a powerhouse in strategic business development and marketing, renowned for her direct, results-oriented approach. With over a decade of hands-on experience across diverse sectors—including B2B, agency work, product development, and wholesale—she has driven transformative growth for ambitious brands and emerging leaders alike. As the founder of three successful businesses—The Doers, Dial Zero Marketing, and Fast Forward Production—all launched without external investment, Ashli understands what it takes to build thriving companies from the ground up. Through her venture arm, Cocky Ventures, she invests in and elevates the next generation of bold, high-potential businesses. Ashli’s career includes integral roles in scaling iconic brands like Prada, Gucci, Rebecca Minkoff, and Kendall + Kylie, where her strategic yet trend-conscious approach to marketing redefined brand trajectories in a fast-paced, content-driven world. She mentors and empowers thousands of women through The Doers, her membership community dedicated to fostering success for female entrepreneurs. Ashli’s mission is clear: to equip and inspire women to win at every level, with tailored insights and practical steps toward lasting success. Inside the Episode: How Ashli became a 4x founder and built a career empowering female entrepreneurs Cocky Ventures approach to helping pre-seed brands scale faster with the right marketing foundation Ashli’s best tips for founders ready to launch bold ideas and build with confidence This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Chef and artist Zoe Messinger created Gelée to inspire play, connection, and joy around the table. Gelée blends the wisdom of gelatin’s ancient origins with modern molecular science to reimagine a timeless classic—transforming it into luminous delights that are gut-healing, collagen-rich, and endlessly versatile. Born from a time of personal healing, Zoe combines her culinary artistry, hospitality background, and playful creativity to craft jiggly creations that are as nourishing as they are beautiful. From morning parfaits and spritz-ready jelly marbles to cheese plate accents and show-stopping art pieces, Gelée challenges convention and brings new life to gelatin. Inside the Episode: How Zoe’s culinary journey—from Cornell to LA’s top restaurants to artistic experiences—shaped Gelée The inspiration behind creating a gut-healthy, collagen-rich brand rooted in joy and play Creative ways Gelée can be used to spark connection and transform everyday meals Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more! 

Aparna Avasarala is the founder of Denimrush Experience, an agency working at the intersection of merchandise and brand experience for CPG and lifestyle companies. In this episode, she shares how merch can become a powerful brand tool—and what every emerging founder needs to know before investing. Aparna breaks down how to choose the right merch, when it’s worth launching, and how to maximize impact without wasting time or money. Inside the Episode: When merch makes sense (and when it doesn’t) for emerging CPG brands How to select products that align with your brand strategy and resonate with your audience Aparna’s best-of advice for founders ready to bring their brand to life through merchandise This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Daniel Goetz founded GoodPop with a mission to create clean, nostalgic treats that taste amazing—without the artificial sweeteners or additives. What started with just four sales at a music festival has grown into a 16-year journey of building a purpose-driven brand that’s now a leader in the frozen treats category. In this episode, Daniel shares his early entrepreneurial beginnings, why he wanted to build a business with a positive impact, and how he’s scaled GoodPop into a household name while staying true to its values. Inside the Episode: How Daniel’s lemonade stand days shaped his entrepreneurial journey The scrappy launch strategy that kicked off the business The lessons behind growing GoodPop into a category leader with purpose at the core Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

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 defining clear differentiators to identifying your hero product and truly understanding your ideal customer, I walk you through the key elements every founder needs before launch. We’ll dive into retail positioning, activation strategies, brand partnerships, and storytelling techniques that help you not only get on shelves—but stay there. Inside the Episode: How to identify what will make your brand stand out How to define who will shop your brand How to create buzz and sales while bootstrapping your launch   Listen in for practical insights you can start applying today, and DM me your email to get my Brand Strategy Q&A—a powerful tool to help you organize your vision and spot the gaps before launch.   This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!    

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-packed, low-sugar, fizzy beverage that gives your gut the love it deserves. Coined ‘Nature’s Soda’ Inside the Episode: How Caroline turned her love for fermentation into a gut-health brand Re-positioning Kif in better-for-you soda category Caroline’s tips for educating consumers and creating demand for a better-for-you drink Shop! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

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. Inside the Episode: How Amy turned her love for Middle Eastern cuisine into a CPG brand Making authentic flavors accessible and convenient without sacrificing quality Building a brand through experiences and hospitality Shop here!   This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

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 founder journey and make exits feel possible especially for female-founded, bootstrapped brands. Inside the Episode: The path from building a gifting brand to selling it—without outside funding Value of corporate gifting for emerging CPG brands What founders need to consider early if they want to build toward a future exit How to think differently about growth and define success on your own terms Connect here!   This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds.  Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details!

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 CPG podcast, Danielle equips first-time founders (especially women) with the tools, strategy, and confidence to launch smart, avoid expensive missteps, and scale sustainably. Inside the Episode: From startup operator to go-to-market strategist and advisor How to build a launch plan that actually works—and avoid common founder pitfalls What she's learned from working behind the scenes with dozens of emerging brands Sneak peek to next CPG School Launch Lab Join free workshop here. CPG School Launch Lab Early Registration here.   This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details!

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-free twist on classic Italian pasta shapes. Inside the Episode: From creative careers to co-founding a food brand Reimagining nostalgic comfort food for allergen-conscious eaters Launching with Kickstarter featuring a single hero product to earn trust and gain traction Advice for an emerging brand founder Shop here!   This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds.  Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details!

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 designed, endlessly refillable containers made from ocean-bound plastic and scrap materials. Built for travel, everyday routines, and intentional living, the brand is setting a new standard for modular design, durability, and waste reduction—one capsule at a time. Inside the Episode: How Steph’s background shaped the brand’s mission The innovation process behind Cadence’s modular, sustainable capsules Advice for founders building category-defining products Shop here! This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details!

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 her standards—not just in food, but in every aspect of her life. Dateworthy is a decadent-yet-clean snack made with organic ingredients: dates, almond butter, banana, dark chocolate, shredded coconut, and a touch of sea salt. It’s designed to satisfy your cravings and remind you to choose better—for yourself and your body. Inside the Episode: How Hailey’s personal journey and shift from finance to food inspired the creation of DateWorthy The product development process behind building a frozen snack brand Advice for first-time founders creating brands rooted in personal transformation   Shop here!   This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details!