Behind the scenes with Kelly Bennett
Emerging Brands Podcast®
With so many new listeners joining the Emerging Brands Podcast® lately, I thought now was the perfect time to reintroduce myself and share more about the work I do behind the scenes. I’m Kelly Bennett—a Brooklyn-based brand strategist with a front-row seat to what makes early-stage CPG food & beverage brands stand out. I’ve advised over 1,000 founders and stay tapped into what’s working in the industry through my client work, this podcast, and collaborations like Bread & Butter®—a trademark law firm protecting emerging CPG brands. Inside the Episode: How I went from...
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Seenaya
Emerging Brands Podcast®
Saman and Maha are the mother-daughter duo behind Seenaya, a skincare brand born from a deep love of their Pakistani heritage and a desire to share its generational beauty rituals with the world. Inspired by family’s remedies and the natural ingredients they grew up with, they created Seenaya to preserve and celebrate the power of ancestral skincare—blending traditions with modern science. With each product, they’re not just offering results-driven skincare—they’re building a bridge between generations and creating a global community rooted in authenticity, culture, and nature....
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Philo
Emerging Brands Podcast®
Erica Bonelli is the founder of Philo—a full-service event planning and art direction studio inspired by Philoxenia, the ancient Greek art of hospitality. With a background in tech and food media, Erica launched Philo to help brands tell their story through intentional, in-person experiences that create lasting emotional impact. Today, Philo specializes in brand launch events, experiential activations, and visual storytelling for emerging CPG, food, and beverage brands—blending aesthetic magic with strategic thinking to build connection and drive growth. For the launch of Bread &...
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Jason B James
Emerging Brands Podcast®
Jason B James is a photographer and graphic artist celebrated for his bold, surreal, and concept-driven style. He transforms unconventional subjects into vivid, imaginative visuals that resonate with both local and global audiences. With a signature blend of creativity and practicality, Jason approaches every project—whether a product campaign, hospitality rebrand, CPG shoot, or food editorial—as a chance to tell a story, push creative boundaries, and keep the process collaborative and fun. Inside the episode How Jason carved out a niche photographing standout visuals for CPG food brands...
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Citrus Diaries Studio
Emerging Brands Podcast®
Lauren Hodgen is a passionate food enthusiast and the creative force behind Citrus Diaries Studio—a design and social media agency dedicated to elevating food and beverage brands. Since launching her platform in 2018, Lauren has blended her personal wellness journey with creative strategy, building a business rooted in storytelling, authenticity, and visual impact. Today, she helps emerging brands show up with clarity and consistency across digital channels. Inside the episode How Lauren’s personal journey with wellness and food led to launching Citrus Diaries Studio Her approach to...
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Unbothered Foods
Emerging Brands Podcast®
Morgan Murdock is a digestive health dietitian turned founder on a mission to make gut-friendly foods more joyful, accessible, and delicious. Through her brand, Unbothered Foods, she’s reimagining snack time with sourdough crackers designed specifically for the GI community. With deep expertise in nutrition and a passion for people, Morgan is creating products that support digestive health and a positive relationship with food—without compromising flavor or fun. Inside the episode How Morgan’s work as a digestive health dietitian led to the creation of Unbothered Foods The strategy...
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Smearcase
Emerging Brands Podcast®
In a recent episode, I talked with Joe Rotondo, Founder & CEO of Smearcase, shared the story behind launching FroCo—the world’s first frozen cottage cheese dessert. The idea was born during marathon training when Joe couldn't find a high-protein ice cream option. This led him to experiment with cottage cheese and eventually developing a product that offers 40 grams of protein per pint. Smearcase quickly scaled from a kitchen experiment to being stocked in over 100 stores, including Whole Foods and Sprouts, within a year. The brand's name, "Smearcase," is derived from the German word...
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Brami
Emerging Brands Podcast®
I sat down with Aaron Gatti, a first-generation Italian American and the founder of Brami, a brand that’s reinventing Italian slow-food traditions for the modern consumer. Aaron’s passion for heritage, health, and innovation shows up in every part of Brami—from their Lupini Bean Snacks to their Italian Protein Pasta, both made in Italy and packed with plant-based protein. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to bring something new (and meaningful) to shelf, how Brami balances authenticity with convenience, and the power of staying true to your roots while building a brand...
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Evolve Food Consultants
Emerging Brands Podcast®
In this episode, I chatted with Esther Levy, a powerhouse in the natural and organic food & beverage space. With a BS in Food Science and an MBA, Esther brings deep industry knowledge and strategic insight—helping brands streamline operations and increase profitability. As the founder of Evolve Food Consultants, Esther supports CPG brands across every operational touchpoint: from co-manufacturer searches and food safety to product development, supply chain management, and third-party certifications. Her approach helps early-stage and growing brands avoid costly missteps and build a...
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Sunnie
Emerging Brands Podcast®
Sunnie offers wholesome, grab-and-go snacks made exclusively with clean, whole food ingredients for today's busy families. Every Sunnie product is crafted without seed oils, refined sugars, or artificial additives, making it easy to nourish your family. Sunnie was born from a shared mission between two moms, Lisette and Katy, who wanted better for their families. Frustrated by endless grocery store searches for packaged snacks made with clean, simple ingredients, they decided to create what they couldn't find. Katy Tucker, Co-founder brings us behind the brand! Inside the episode Katy’s...
info_outlineThe Zero Proof is the leading non-alcoholic beverage online retailer with over 30+ brands to savor. With a commitment to quality, the premium site showcases a diverse array of alcohol-free options, from top-tier NA wine to whiskey alternatives and Swedish amaros. The Zero Proof distributes its own brands Saint Viviana and Lapo’s in addition to being the exclusive importer to esteemed brands from around the world. The Zero Proof extends its passion for premium NA offerings to a wider audience by enriching the landscape of alcohol-free enjoyment and guiding individuals towards a balanced and enjoyable life without compromise. In addition to sharing the best NA spirits, The Zero Proof also acts like a trusted friend to guide you to the best NA-friendly bars and restaurants, tourist hotspots, and booze-free activities around the world.
After experiencing the limitations of alcohol-free options first hand, Sean Goldsmith embarked on a mission to revolutionize the industry. With a background in financial data analysis, he co-founded The Zero Proof, initially, as a blog that evolved into a venture capital-backed startup. Sean's vision extends beyond just providing alternatives; he aims to offer a space with more choice, while also providing a premium and inclusive experience for all. As The Zero Proof continues to expand its reach and offerings to those looking to cut back on drinking without compromising on fun, Sean remains committed to pushing boundaries and unlocking the full potential of the adult NA category.
On this episode, Sean is taking us behind the brand to discuss strategy, the non-alcoholic industry, and advice to an emerging founder embarking in the space.
Inside the episode
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Sean’s founder story living an alcohol-free lifestyle lead to starting a business
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How a blog that evolved into a venture capital-backed startup
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The Zero Proof’s strategy to become the leading retailer in a growingly competitive industry
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Advice for an early-stage founder launching an non alc brand