Hi, I’m Kelly Bennett—a New York City–based brand strategist and host of Emerging Brands Podcast®, where I share the stories behind the brands people want to shop next.

My path to CPG began while bootstrapping a nationally recognized plant-based restaurant in Downtown Las Vegas. From social media to partnerships, I built a loyal community from the ground up—earning press in Forbes, CNN, and the LA Times, expanding to multiple locations, and working with the emerging CPG brands we sourced from. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what early-stage founders truly need—and why consumers choose brands that align with their lifestyle.

Today, I work with first-time CPG founders to turn better-for-you product ideas into brands people actually want to shop. With a front-row seat to what makes emerging brands stand out, I help founders differentiate in crowded markets, uncover selling points that make consumers add their product to their daily routines—whether as a pantry staple or a weekend treat—and build buzz through partnerships, community engagement, to landing their first retailers.

I also share brands I use at home on my Substack, At Home with Kelly Bennett.