Behind the brands hitting shelves next

Brand strategist for emerging CPG food & beverage. Host of Emerging Brands Podcast®

Shop my clients at: Pop Up Market, Meadow Lane, Foxtrot, Butterfield, Happier Grocery

Build your brand right from the start

I work with early-stage CPG founders to turn product ideas into brands hitting retail shelves. Defining what makes them stand out on shelf, who the consumer is, and how to build demand long before launch.

In four weeks, you'll walk away with a complete brand strategy deck and a clear roadmap.

Learn more

Trusted by the next generation of food & beverage brands

Hi, I'm Kelly Bennett, a New York City–based brand strategist for emerging CPG food and beverage founders and host of Emerging Brands Podcast®, where I feature the brands people will be shopping next.

I work with early-stage founders to turn product ideas into market-ready brands by defining what makes them stand out on shelf, who the consumer is, why people will buy, how the brand should sell, and how to build demand long before it hits retail.

With 16+ years working with emerging brands and currently advising 30+ CPG food and beverage brands coming to market, I bring industry insight, market knowledge, and a trusted network to help bring what's next in food and beverage to shelf.

What founders are saying:

Cotto

‘I started working with Kelly when I only had a product concept and was testing early recipes in my kitchen, and building my brand strategy with her completely changed how I approached every decision that followed. She helped me dial in my positioning, messaging, and target consumer, and guided me toward a brand name that truly reflects what I’m building after my original name couldn’t be trademarked. Beyond the work itself, Kelly is an incredible supporter and connector, always generous with her time, her network, and her energy, and genuinely someone you want in your corner’.
Kendall Kransdorf, Founder
She's the Sauce

'Before She’s the Sauce was even a concept, I met with Kelly, and from day one, she helped me shape this brand into something truly unique. Her strategic mind helped me uncover what made my sauces different, find the key selling points that would resonate, and has helped create the kind of buzz that every founder dreams of...’
Nicole Glabman, Founder
Nomie

A few months into starting Nomie, I needed someone to help me cut through the noise and see the full picture. Kelly's brand strategy gave Nomie a real foundation that set the direction for brand design, social strategy, and product messaging and positioning. What I didn't expect was how much she'd continue to show up long after our work together wrapped, and I'm so grateful for that.
Roopa Annadatha, Founder
Frankly Good Coffee

‘...Pop Up Grocer slid into our dms and before I knew it we had launched inside one of the most respected entities for up and coming CPG brands - we were on the shelves, standing out among the other coffees that surrounded us. This is just the beginning of our growth and retail journey - grateful I was smart enough to hire Kelly when we did!’
Stefanie Frank, Co-founder

cotto

Reimagining classic dips

Clients

Frankly Good Coffee

Make your mornings suck less

She’s the sauce

Sauce, with benefits

Brands hitting shelves next 👀 Nomie, Glowstate, Little Twists, Afternoon Toast, Nida, Wobble, Rabbit Hole, Dear Jean

Emerging Brands Podcast®

Discover the brands hitting shelves next

Each week, I sit down with the founders behind the brands launching at Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and beyond. From the product idea, to the founder's backstory, to the strategy that got them to shelf—you'll hear their advice and where to shop the brands hitting shelves next.

Listen to the pod

New launches

My client She's the Sauce had a sold-out presale! You'll soon taste a new protein-packed, fiber-filled sauce line starting with creamy ranch and honey mustard. These sauces are made without seed oils, gums, or fillers, making them a clean, better-for-you option!

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