The Duck Pond Podcast | Tips for CPG Brands to Take Flight

Today we’re featuring Jay Williams, founder of Free Bird Water, a brand built around the simple but powerful idea of delivering clean, crisp spring water in tall 19.2 oz aluminum cans, sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains and crafted for everyday Americans who work with their hands, hustle hard, and value authenticity over hype. Under Jay’s leadership, Free Bird has positioned itself as water “for the people”, no gimmicks, no wellness fluff, just real water for real life.We’ll dig into:How Free Bird Water carved out its space in the beverage market, leaning into heritage, honest branding and a “blue-collar meets beverage” vibe.The leap from a successful real-estate background to launching a spring-water brand , why Jay swapped boardrooms for bottling lines, and how that transition shaped Free Bird’s identity.Key early decisions: choosing spring water from Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, designing tall-boy cans, opting for recyclable aluminum , and how those choices reflect purpose and practicality.Scaling and distribution: hitting retail shelves across the Southeast, launching still and sparkling SKUs, and the operational grind behind rapid rollout.Brand messaging, community-building, and positioning Free Bird not just as water, but as a lifestyle and a nod to “everyday heroes.”✨ Learn how Free Bird Water is redefining what bottled water can mean, merging simplicity, purpose, and refreshment into a can that speaks to working people, honest values, and everyday hydration.🔗 Free Bird Water Website → https://drinkfreebird.com/ Instagram → @drinkfreebirdWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer, and we believe packaging should tell a story, not just hold a product. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#beverage #entrepreneurship #packaging

Today we’re featuring Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco, the chocolate and snack brand redefining indulgence by making sustainability, ethics, and delight inseparable. Under Keith’s leadership, Alter Eco champions regenerative agriculture, fair-trade sourcing, and compostable packaging, proving you can enjoy delicious, premium chocolate and snacks and help heal the planet.We’ll dig into:How Alter Eco positions itself in the “ethical indulgence” space, marrying top-tier taste with deep commitment to soil, communities, and ecosystems.The leap from legacy supply chains to regenerative sourcing: how Keith and the team support farmers to adopt agro-forestry, traceability and sustainable practices while maintaining chocolate quality.The evolution of packaging and product , from compostable wrappers to clean-ingredient bars and granola, and how Alter Eco balances impact and shelf-ready scalability.Navigating growth, supply-chain turbulence (like rising cacao prices and global import tariffs), and the ongoing commitment to maintain mission-driven standards while expanding reach.✨ Learn how Alter Eco is redefining what indulgence can taste like, by proving that chocolate can be conscientious, delicious, planet-friendly, and socially responsible.🔗 Alter Eco Website → https://www.alterecofoods.com/ Instagram → @alterecofoodsWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer, and we believe packaging shouldn’t just hold a product, it should tell a story. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#chocolate #sustainability #packaging #entrepreneurship

Today we’re featuring Adam Deremo, co-founder of AWAKE Chocolate, the brand that flipped the script on energy and indulgence by putting caffeine into chocolate. Instead of coffee or energy drinks, AWAKE delivers a pick-me-up in bite-size and bar-form chocolate , each bite packing roughly half a coffee’s brew: 50 mg caffeine, fair-trade, gluten-free, no artificial stuff.We’ll dig into:How AWAKE positions itself in the “functional food / caffeinated treat” space, combining everyday energy with the simple pleasure of chocolate.The leap from corporate CPG roots to startup chocolate-maker: what made Adam and his co-founders decide to build a “functional chocolate that tastes good.”The evolution of formulation, taste testing, ingredient choices and packaging, how they balanced caffeine, flavor, quality and accessibility to build a product that people enjoy and trust.Scaling a functional food brand: rapid growth, distribution, retail partnerships (including recent expansion into major retailers and even listings in big chains), investment rounds, and navigating the challenges that come with growth.✨ Learn how AWAKE Chocolate is redefining what “energy” means, making it delicious, accessible, and a little more fun.🔗 AWAKE Chocolate Website → https://awakechocolate.com/ Instagram → @awakechocolateWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com #chocolate #energy #entrepreneurship #packaging

Today we’re featuring Michelle Valdez-Wilton, founder of Date Better Snacks, the brand reinventing what a “better-for-you treat” can be, using Medjool dates stuffed with nut butter and enrobed in organic chocolate, all designed to give you that indulgent treat without the guilt. What started in her home kitchen during the COVID-era has blossomed into a fast-growing snack company now stocked in hundreds of stores across the U.S. and beyond.We’ll dig into:How Date Better Snacks positions itself in the “clean-label, better-for-you treat” space, satisfying sweet cravings with whole foods instead of processed sugar bombs.The leap from restaurant kitchens to packaged snacks: recipe testing, ingredient sourcing, packaging clean-label treats that still feel indulgent.The ups and downs of scaling a food business, balancing handmade care with growth, navigating supply, manufacturing, and distributing in 700+ stores in under two years.Marketing, storytelling, and how Date Better builds community, not just through flavor, but through authenticity, transparency, and a mission to make better snacking accessible.✨ Learn how Date Better Snacks is redefining indulgence, proving treat foods can be clean, crave-worthy, and kind to body and soul.🔗 Date Better Snacks Website → https://datebettersnacks.com/ Instagram → @datebettersnacksWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer, and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#snacks #entrepreneurship #packaging

Today we’re featuring Alda Karen Hjaltalín, founder of SKINERGY, a brand redefining what wellness drinks can be by blending skincare, function and flavour in every sip. Alda turned her passion for wellness and ingredient innovation into a drink that delivers on skin, energy and purpose, all while preserving a great taste and strong identity.We’ll dig into:How SKINERGY positions itself in the wellness and functional beverage market—skin-first, flavour-forward, emotionally resonant.The leap from concept to launch: ingredient validation, formulation, packaging decisions and how Alda approached creating a drink that speaks to both beauty and beverage consumers.The challenges of scaling a startup in the crowded wellness space: sourcing key actives, ensuring taste and stability, building distribution and maintaining brand authenticity.Marketing, brand story and category strategy: how to go from consumer education to purchase, and what the future holds for skin-targeted drinks.✨ Learn how SKINERGY is rewriting what it means to drink your skincare—making it tasty, effective and accessible.🔗 SKINERGY Website → https://www.drinkskinergy.com/ Instagram → @drinkskinergyWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#wellness #beverage #entrepreneurship #packaging

Today we’re got Marco Biscarini, co-founder of Vibrant Meals, the Chattanooga-based meal-prep brand that’s on a mission to make healthy eating easy, accessible and chef-crafted. Marco and his wife Romana blended her background in high-performance meals for athletes with his tech-ops experience to build a ready-to-eat meal service that delivers fresh, scratch-made meals with no compromises.We’ll dig into:How Vibrant Meals positions itself in the functional food / healthy lifestyle space — real meals, not frozen, designed for busy people who still care about taste and quality.The jump from concept to scale: recipe development, packaging, delivery logistics and how they went from kitchen to growth during covid of all things.The challenges of staying “chef-crafted, clean eating” while scaling: sourcing, operations, team culture and staying true to mission.Marketing, subscriptions, retail and how they’re redefining convenience meals without sacrificing flavor or values.✨ Learn how Vibrant Meals is rewriting what “meal prep” means making it vibrant, delicious, and practical. 🔗 Vibrant Meals Website → https://myvibrantmeals.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/vibrantmealsWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#mealprep #entrepreneurship #packaging #business

Today we’re featuring Veronica Panzardi, founder of edggies veggies, the brand making veggie-intake effortless with flavor-neutral, air-dried kale sprinkles that last two years and slide into your meals like seasoning. Veronica traded her investment-banking career to launch a product rooted in nutrition, convenience, and taste, and she’s building a brand wrapped in mission, design, and more veggie goodness.We’ll dive into:How edggies positions itself in the “better-for-you” and convenience food space, helping busy professionals and families get more veggies.The brand, packaging and recipe evolution behind turning kale (and other veggies) into a sprinkle you can take anywhere.What it takes to launch a truly novel product: shelf-stable, flavor-neutral, portable from prototype stage (in her East Village apartment) to market.Marketing, distribution and sustainability lessons from a brand rooted in mission: “adding nutrition can be as easy as adding salt”.✨ Learn how edggies veggies is redefining what veggies can look like — making them simple, pantry-friendly, and fun to add.🔗 edggies veggies Website → https://www.edggies.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/edggiesWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#veggies #packaging #betterforyou #nutritionalinnovation #entrepreneurship

Today we’re featuring Philip Kosak, founder of Wicked Crisps, the brand on a mission to deliver “deliciously deceptive” veggie-based crisps that are baked (never fried), gluten-free, non-GMO, and crafted for taste and purpose. Phil holds a PhD in Food Science and began his snack journey in 1981 in a small warehouse, now he’s tackling flavor, nutrition, and inclusive job creation all at once.We’ll dive into:How Wicked Crisps positions itself in the better-for-you snack space, turning vegetables, herbs and spices into a category-challenging chip.The evolution of recipe, technology and packaging, from snack co-packing to launching a full brand built on taste, health and mission.What it takes to scale a snack brand rooted in purpose, including the unique model: over half of the production team are people with disabilities.Marketing, distribution, and impact lessons from building a brand from the ground up in a tough snack category.How Phil translates decades of R&D and inclusive employment into real business strategy and brand legacy.✨ Learn how Wicked Crisps is redefining snacking, making veggie-based crisps crave-worthy, shelf-ready, and meaningful. 🔗 Wicked Crisps Website → https://wickedcrisps.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/wickedcrisps/We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#snacks #betterforyou #inclusion #packaging #foodinnovation

Today we're excited to sit down with Llance Kezner, co-founder of Millie’s Sipping Broth, the innovative brand that re-imagined soup by turning savory broth into tea-bag-style convenience. Llance and his wife took a home-made idea out of the kitchen and scaled it into a multi-million-dollar category disrupting beverage and wellness shelves, landing in national retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club, while winning awards in the process.We’ll dig into:How Millie’s found a simple idea: a savory cup of broth in a tea bag, and turned it into a nationwide brand.The packaging, naming, and recipe evolution that helped launch a new category and scale efficiently.What it takes to hit major retail with a small team: manufacturing, inventory, distribution, and maintaining quality.How the brand balances wellness-driven innovation with mainstream appeal, and what the future holds in a shifting food landscape.✨ Learn how Millie’s Sipping Broth is redefining what an everyday beverage can be merging comfort, wellness, and retail strategy into one cup.🔗 Millie’s Sipping Broth Website → https://milliessippingbroth.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sippingbroths/We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#broth #cpg #business #growth #competitor

Today we’re featuring Ali Elliott, founder of Farmer Foodie, the brand reinventing what vegan cheese can be with their Cashew Parm, dairy-free, gluten-free, shelf stable, and full of umami. Alison started as an organic farm educator and recipe developer; she launched her first Cashew Parm product just days before graduating. Her brand is built on sustainability, clean ingredients, and making cheese cravings possible without compromise.We’ll dive into:How Farmer Foodie positions itself in the vegan / plant-based cheese spaceThe rebrand, recipe evolution, and packaging shifts that elevated the product lineWhat it takes to scale a shelf-stable plant-based product rooted in mission and flavorHow Ali translates her farm education roots into packaging, sourcing, and consumer educationMarketing, distribution, and sustainability lessons from creating Cashew Parm✨ Learn how Farmer Foodie is redefining vegan cheese, making it crave-worthy, pantry-friendly, and sustainable. 🔗 Farmer Foodie / Cashew Parm Website → https://thefarmerfoodie.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thefarmerfoodie/We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#vegan #cheese #sustainability #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast, where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves, covering branding, marketing, packaging, and the grit behind it all.Today we’re featuring Kiki Couchman, co-founder of Sourmilk, a Greek-style yogurt made intentionally for your gut. Kiki left private equity to build Sourmilk with her best friend Elan, combining deep biology insight and a love of real, probiotic dairy. Sourmilk prides itself on being creamy, high protein, and low lactose with no hidden compromises.We’ll dive into:How Sourmilk positions itself in the yogurt / probiotic spaceThe journey from concept to community. How they’ve built trust before hitting wide distributionWhat it takes to scale a dairy CPG brand rooted in gut health, authenticity, and direct connectionTheir distribution strategy: pop-ups, drops, NYC local delivery, and when “grocery” comes into playMarketing, packaging, and launch lessons from a yogurt brand with a big mission✨ Learn how Sourmilk is redefining how we think about yogurt — functional, approachable, and rooted in integrity. 🔗 Sourmilk Website → https://www.sourmilk.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/getsourmilkWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#yogurt #guthealth #dairy #packaging #branding

Today we’re featuring Brittney Cook, co-founder of Something Sweet, the premium frozen brown butter cookie dough brand that makes baking feel like magic. Something Sweet offers pre-portioned, ready-to-bake dough with no mess, no artificial stuff, and real ingredients you can trust.We’ll dive into:How Something Sweet balances indulgence + simplicity in the frozen dessert aisleThe origin of the brand and how Brittney turned family grief into a mission for comfortWhat it takes to scale a frozen food startup while maintaining quality and heartRetail wins: from pop-ups to launching into 100+ Raley’s, Bel Air & Nob Hill locationsPackaging, distribution, and branding lessons from a frozen dessert brand✨ Learn how Something Sweet is making home-baked joy accessible, one cookie dough puck at a time. 🔗 Something Sweet Website → https://www.somethingsweetdough.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/somethingsweetdoughWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#dessert #frozen #cookie #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast, where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves, covering branding, marketing, packaging, and the gritty bits in between.Today we’re featuring Aadit Patel, founder of Confusion Snacks, the ethnic-fusion snack brand that blends bold Indian spices with American snack formats.Aadit grew up bouncing between two cultures and created Confusion Snacks to reflect that in a snack: snacks like Black Truffle Masala popcorn and Masala peanuts cooked in avocado oil, all vegan, gluten-free, and free of seed oils.We’ll dive into:How Confusion positions itself at the intersection of cultural identity and snack innovationThe challenge of balancing bold flavor + clean ingredients (avocado oil, no seed oils)What it takes to scale an ethnic fusion snack brand from kitchen to shelvesWinning retailer recognition and the journey through retail launchesMarketing, packaging, and distribution lessons from a brand rewriting the snack rules✨ Learn how Confusion Snacks is redefining what “snacking” can mean, bold, clean, and unapologetically cultural. 🔗 Confusion Snacks Website → https://confusionsnacks.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/confusionsnacksWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#snacks #fusion #packaging #branding #indian

Today we’re featuring Sam Nelson, co-founder of BAR-U-EAT, the snack bar brand born from his time in Iceland and built around ingredient integrity and sustainability. BAR-U-EAT is crafted with whole, simple ingredients and packaged in plant-based, BPI-certified compostable wrappers, the first in the bar world to do so.We’ll dive into:How BAR-U-EAT positions itself in the clean / sustainable snack spaceThe origin from that Iceland bar inspiration to today’s full recipe stackWhat it takes to build a food brand that honors both taste and planetPackaging innovation: why compostable wrappers matter, and how they’re doneMarketing, distribution, and scaling lessons in a competitive bar landscape✨ Learn how BAR-U-EAT is redefining what a snack bar can be, fueling adventures without trashing the planet. 🔗 BAR-U-EAT Website → https://barueat.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/barueatWe’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#snacks #sustainability #ecofriendly #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast, where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves, covering branding, marketing, packaging, and the hard stuff in between.Today we’re featuring Thereasa Black, founder of Bon AppéSweet, a date-sweetened, plant-based chocolate brand rooted in devotion, integrity, and flavor. Thereasa built Bon AppéSweet after serving in the military, deploying away from her daughter. She vowed she’d never leave her again, and turned that promise into a brand that crafts artisanal chocolate bars made with just 3–4 ingredients (cocoa powder, cocoa butter, dates), with zero added sugar, dairy-free, and fair trade.We’ll dive into:How Bon AppéSweet positions itself in the better-for-you chocolate spaceThe pivot from her gelato beginnings (Amore Congelato) into chocolate, and what drove that shiftWhat it takes to scale a socially minded, clean-ingredient dessert brand built on mission and communityHer path to landing in Whole Foods, Walmart, and broader retail, and how she handles that pressureMarketing, packaging, and distribution lessons from a “dessert with a cause” brand✨ Learn how Bon AppéSweet is redefining dessert — serious structure, sweet but pure. 🔗 Bon AppéSweet Website → https://bonappesweet.com/ bonappesweet.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/eatbonappesweet/We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#dessert #plantbased #chocolate #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast, where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves, covering branding, marketing, packaging, and the hard stuff in between. Today we’re featuring Joe and Drew, founders of Smearcase, the creators of FroCo, the world’s first frozen cottage cheese ice cream. Joe turned his frustration at craving a protein dessert but only finding indulgent options into a mission: build something that tastes like ice cream but is powered by cottage cheese + collagen, with 40 grams of protein per pint and cleaner ingredient lists. Smearcase is built on creamy texture, high protein, and a bold reimagination of dessert.We’ll dive into:How Smearcase positions itself in the frozen dessert / protein spaceThe origin story: from marathon training to cottage cheese ice cream innovationWhat it takes to grow a food brand built on disruption, community, and tasteJoe’s sampling & go-to-market tactics and how they balanced speed vs perfectionMarketing, distribution, and packaging lessons from a high-protein, high-ambition dessert brand✨ Learn how Smearcase is redefining frozen treats — more protein, less fat, no weird additives. 🔗 Smearcase / FroCo Website → https://smearcase.com/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/eatsmearcase/We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/Website → www.pakingduck.com#frozen #protein #icecream #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast, where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves, covering branding, marketing, packaging, and the hard stuff in between.Today we’re featuring Caroline Brain, founder of Kif Nature’s Soda, a fermented kefir-style soda built for gut health. Caroline turned her own struggles with brain fog, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and more into a mission: craft a probiotic beverage that’s low sugar, full of real ingredients, and approachable. Kif now delivers 12B+ live probiotics per can, with no artificial sweeteners.We’ll dive into:How Kif positions itself in the functional soda & probiotic spaceThe rebrand from kefir water to Nature’s Soda and what drove that changeWhat it takes to grow a beverage brand built on fermentation, community, and trustCaroline's Gut Hut community and how she's bridging the gap between consumersMarketing, distribution, and packaging lessons from a gut-healing brand✨ Learn how Kif is redefining soda—making it gut-friendly, functional, and fun. 🔗 Kif Nature’s Soda Website → https://www.kifnaturessoda.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kifnaturessoda/We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ Website → www.pakingduck.com#beverage #gut #health #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves. From branding, marketing, to packaging and hardships.Today we're featuring Brittany Boeckle, founder of 3 snack brands, and we're diving into Knack Snacks, a healthy candy snack alternative that has been shaking up store aisles.Brittany is a veteran in the snack game and knows exactly what it takes to go from 0 to 1 and from 1 to 100. And she's committed to zero food waste and using only sustainable and socially responsible cocoa suppliersWe’ll dive into:How Knack Snacks positions itself in the candy and snack marketHow Brittany bravely moved to a new country to launch her brandWhat it takes to grow a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand in today’s crowded landscapeInsights into marketing strategies that helped fuel rapid growth✨ Learn how Knack Snacks is making candy smarter, healthier, and just as crave-worthy.🔗 Date Smarter:Website → https://knack-snacks.com/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/knacksnacks/We're a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more.Paking Duck:Website → www.pakingduck.com#candy #healthysnacks #packaging #branding

Welcome back to the Duck Pond Podcast where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves. From branding, marketing, to packaging and hardships.Today we're featuring Amy Bett, founder of Melo, a non-alcoholic sparkling kava beverage that helps you unwind in under 10 minutes boasting zero sugar, zero calories, and no hangover. Melo is fast becoming the go-to drink for those who want that wind-down without the downside. She’s been spearheading rapid growth, recently celebrated key milestones such as exploding into nearly 1,000 stores from 20, and continues to reshape the functional beverage wave. We’ll dive into:- How Melo positions itself in the non-alcoholic drink & wellness market- Why packaging and branding are so critical for authenticity & connection- What it takes to grow a direct-to-consumer (DTC) beverage brand in today’s crowded functional drink space- Marketing strategies and growth hacks that helped Melo gain momentum fast- How to overcome setbacks and major challenges- How family plays a part in building a national brand✨ Learn how Melo is redefining what it means to unwind, drink smart, and still show up feeling good.🔗 Melo:Website → https://www.drinkmelo.co/Instagram → @drinkmelo_ We're a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more.Paking Duck:Website → www.pakingduck.com#beverage #packaging #alcohol #alcoholfree

In today’s episode, we’re featuring Tracy Luckow, co-founder of Whipnotic, a disruptive CPG brand that’s reinventing whipped cream with a patented flavor-swirl design. Alongside her sister Lori, Tracy has turned an everyday grocery item into a DTC sensation that’s shaking up shelves and creating buzz in the food and snack industry.In just three years, Whipnotic has:✅ Built a loyal following with eye-catching packaging design✅ Scaled rapidly across retail and DTC channels✅ Proven how creative branding and marketing can transform even a “commodity” product into a premium experienceWe’ll break down:- How Whipnotic uses packaging as a marketing tool to stand out in crowded aisles- The role of storytelling in CPG brand growth- Lessons for founders building food, candy, or snack brands in today’s competitive market- Why smart DTC strategies are key to scaling a product that feels fresh and fun✨ If you’re building a consumer brand or love stories about food innovation, this episode is packed with insights.🔗 Follow Whipnotic: https://www.instagram.com/whipnotic/We're a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more.Paking Duck:Website → www.pakingduck.com#candy #healthysnacks #packaging #branding

This is our first episode of our new Duck Pond Podcast where we bring on founders, creatives, and brilliant minds to get behind the scenes on how to bring a product onto store shelves. From branding, marketing, to packaging and hardships.Today we're featuring Grace Finerman, found of Date Smarter, a healthy candy snack alternative that has been shaking up store aisles. She's been spearheading rapid growth having recently celebrated her 1 year anniversary and has been awarded the Fairway Find of 2025. We’ll dive into:- How Date Smarter positions itself in the candy and snack market- Why packaging design plays such a key role in brand storytelling- What it takes to grow a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand in today’s crowded landscape- Insights into marketing strategies that helped fuel rapid growth✨ Learn how Date Smarter is making candy smarter, healthier, and just as crave-worthy.🔗 Date Smarter:Website → https://www.datesmartersnacks.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadjks1ZszvgZz3oNWJUXXSuxa8rFJhMj3wYbCf6IyFflZpBxEdsnnVfeyXK0A_aem_rYQuhlxqvb9y4I1WpoIGfwInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/datesmartersnacks/👤 Grace Fineman:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gracefinerman/We're a custom packaging manufacturer and we're changing the landscape of packaging. Follow for more.Paking Duck:Website → www.pakingduck.com#candy #healthysnacks #packaging #branding