In this episode, I’m joined by Brock Giles, founder of High Mesa Chile Co.—a modern Southwest kitchen crafting small-batch sauces, condiments, and cocktail mixers inspired by the bold flavor of flame-roasted chiles. Brock’s brand is rooted in a deep love for flame-roasted chiles and a passion for turning regional ingredients into shelf-worthy staples that elevate everyday meals.

Inside the Episode

• How Brock turned his obsession with flame-roasted chiles into a growing line of Southwest-inspired pantry staples

• How the brand has evolved to cocktail mixers, hot sauces, braising sauces, mustards, pickled items, and other spicy condiments

• Advice for makers transitioning from farmers markets into wholesale and retail

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 Jonathan Cornish, founder of Froot Thief—the bold, better-for-you fruit snack brand, now one of the fastest-growing fruit snack brands across the United States. With over 20 years in the food industry, Jonathan has developed products for major retailers—but launched Froot Thief to shake up the fruit snack aisle with clean ingredients, a playful identity, and a mission to win over both kids and parents.

Inside the Episode

• How Jonathan’s background in food product development shaped Froot Thief

• The strategy behind building a snack brand that’s fun for kids, trusted by parents, and built to scale

• Advice for CPG founders launching in competitive categories

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 Victor Guardiola, founder of Bawi—a better-for-you sparkling agua fresca brand inspired by his Mexican roots. Victor grew up drinking aguas frescas made with fresh fruit and a lot of sugar. When he couldn’t find a version that honored the tradition but felt better for the body, he created one himself.

Bawi is a love letter to culture and community—crafted with real ingredients, bold flavor, and a fresh take on a nostalgic classic. Through the brand, Victor is not only sharing a drink he grew up loving—he’s helping reshape the narrative around what Latino-inspired beverages can be in today’s market.

Inside the episode

• How Victor’s upbringing and heritage inspired him to launch a better-for-you version of a beloved drink

• The strategy behind balancing authenticity and health while bringing aguas frescas to a broader audience

• Advice for founders navigating identity, storytelling, and product innovation

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.

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 bootstrapping a plant-based restaurant in Downtown Las Vegas building national buzz and a multi-location brand— and career pivot to CPG food & beverage

• The strategy framework I use to help first-time founders launch standout brands that belongs on retail shelves

• What you’ll walk away with when we work together—and why story, strategy, and execution matter from day one

I also share more about my newest project, At Home with Kelly Bennett—a Substack where I bring you inside my home, lifestyle, and the food, beverage, and wellness brands I’m loving right now.

Thank you so much for catching up with me!

Bringing a new product to market? Let’s talk! withkellybennett.com

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.

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.

Inside the Episode:

• How Seenaya grew from family rituals into a purpose-driven brand honoring Pakistani beauty traditions

• The intentional blend of heritage ingredients and modern formulation strategy that sets Seenaya apart

• Advice for founders building a brand rooted in cultural storytelling and international markets

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.

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 & Butter (a trademark law firm protecting CPG food & beverage brands), Erica curated a standout dinner that seamlessly wove together brand messaging, client offers, and meaningful partnerships—while sourcing the best local vendors to bring the vision to life. I recommend Erica to all my clients.

Inside the Episode:

• How Erica’s upbringing in a first-generation Greek household—and her background in tech and food styling—shaped the ethos behind Philo

• Her approach to creating brand activations that go beyond aesthetics to spark genuine connection, loyalty, and emotional resonance

• Advice for founders planning their first event or launch experience, and what to prioritize to make it truly memorableListen 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.

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

• His strategy for creating scroll-stopping, story-driven brand imagery

• Expert advice for emerging founders preparing for their first professional photoshoot

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.

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 creating brand visuals and content that connects

• Advice for food & beverage founders trying to stand out online and grow community organically

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.