Eat Senza
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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...
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Cadence
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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...
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DateWorthy
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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...
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Peepal People
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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 King, and Coca-Cola. She launched Peepal People in 2021 with a mission to build a more inclusive food aisle—one that centers culture, community, and real flavor. Peepal People fuses heritage...
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Cure Hydration
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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, recently ranking 568th on the Inc. 5000’s 2024 list. Cure is formulated for all ages, delivering daily hydration without compromising on ingredients or taste—offering an alternative to...
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Fancypants
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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 known for incredible taste, quality ingredients, and sustainability. Today, their cookies are made with butter and eggs, zero artificial ingredients, and upcycled oat flour—baking with purpose...
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PlantChi
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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. PlantChi’s superseed blends are designed to simplify nutrition: easy to use, packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, and made to sprinkle onto meals without any fuss. Inside the...
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Cien Chiles
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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 Maria’s family roots, culinary background, and CPG experience inspired the creation of Cien Chiles The philosophy behind “Real Food, Real Flavor” and redefining hot sauce as a culinary art ...
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Chunk
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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 passion that deeply influences his approach to product development. Chunk uses proprietary fermentation techniques to create plant-based meats that deliver a deeply satisfying eating...
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Fresh Thyme Market
Emerging Brands Podcast®
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 new brands, how Fresh Thyme Market approaches innovation and differentiation. Inside the Episode: How Celena’s passion for local shapes her work as a category manager What founders need to...
info_outlineBesto is the first ever nut-free, seed oil-free, gluten- free pesto. Kaureen Randhawa created Besto because of her lifelong nut allergy and passion for better for you, whole food ingredients. Kaureen brings us behind-the-scenes of how she launched and now scaling Besto!
Inside the episode
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Kaureen’s career before becoming a CPG founder (and why she made the leap!)
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Besto’s brand story (it started with a logo on Canva)
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Besto’s brand strategy of bringing the first ever nut-free, seed oil-free, gluten- free pesto to market
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Kaureen’s advice for an emerging brand founder
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.