Kelly Bennett is a Brooklyn-based brand strategist with a front-row seat to what makes emerging CPG food & beverage brands stand out.

She has advised over 1,000 early-stage founders and stays plugged into what’s working now through her client work, as host of Emerging Brand Podcast®, and through strategic partnerships—including her collaboration to launch Bread & Butter®, a trademark law firm protecting CPG food & beverage brands.

Kelly’s career breakthrough came while building a nationally recognized plant-based restaurant in Downtown Las Vegas. Bootstrapping from day one, she built the brand from the ground up—leveraging social media, community activations, and partnerships to grow a loyal customer base. That grassroots momentum led to national features in Forbes, CNN, and the LA Times, as well as opening of multiple locations.

The hands-on experience shaped her deep understanding of what early-stage food & beverage brands truly need.

Today, Kelly helps first-time, bootstrapping CPG founders turn early-stage ideas into breakout brands—brands that earn shelf space, generate buzz, and connect with consumers. She leads with strategy first, helping founders clarify what makes their brand different—from a compelling brand story and hero product to a deep understanding of the customer and a clear activation plan that gets the brand on the radar from day one.

Once the foundation is set, Kelly connects founders with trusted experts and strategic partners who specialize in early-stage, founder-led CPG brands—and take a hands-on approach. From design, packaging, photography, and web to social media, distribution, specialty retail, finance, and fundraising, she ensures her clients have the right team in their corner to bring their vision to life and make smart business decisions.

Her clients’ products can be found on shelves at Pop Up Grocer, The Goods Mart, Bubble Goods, and more—and she’s passionate about helping more founders launch brands that belong there too.

For first-time CPG food and beverage founders with innovative ideas, Kelly provides the roadmap and confidence needed to launch breakout brands.