Danielle Calabrese is a seasoned CPG strategist, advisor, and two-time founder with over 16 years of hands-on experience launching and scaling food and beverage brands. From Juice Served Here to De La Calle Tepache, she’s led high-growth teams across sales, operations, and marketing—and now channels that expertise into her own agency, It’s All Happening. Through her Launch Lab course and Women in CPG podcast, Danielle equips first-time founders (especially women) with the tools, strategy, and confidence to launch smart, avoid expensive missteps, and scale sustainably.

Inside the Episode:

• From startup operator to go-to-market strategist and advisor

• How to build a launch plan that actually works—and avoid common founder pitfalls

• What she's learned from working behind the scenes with dozens of emerging brands

• Sneak peek to next CPG School Launch Lab

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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!

Krista D’Archi and Jake Block are the co-founders of Eat Senza, an allergen-friendly food brand on a mission to make eating with dietary restrictions easier—and more joyful. After 10 years in creative roles, the duo made the leap from supporting brands to building their own. The result? A bold, confident take on allergen-free comfort food, starting with their debut product: Lil Pastina—a gluten-free twist on classic Italian pasta shapes.

Inside the Episode:

• From creative careers to co-founding a food brand

• Reimagining nostalgic comfort food for allergen-conscious eaters

• Launching with Kickstarter featuring a single hero product to earn trust and gain traction

• Advice for an emerging brand founder

Shop 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!

In this episode, I’m joined by Steph Hon, founder and CEO of Cadence—a pioneering consumer systems brand redefining how we store and carry the essentials. With a vision to transform the everyday with the same level of intention and innovation as Apple or Dyson, Steph launched Cadence in 2020 to bring form, function, and sustainability into the personal care category.

Cadence creates beautifully designed, endlessly refillable containers made from ocean-bound plastic and scrap materials. Built for travel, everyday routines, and intentional living, the brand is setting a new standard for modular design, durability, and waste reduction—one capsule at a time.

Inside the Episode:

• How Steph’s background shaped the brand’s mission

• The innovation process behind Cadence’s modular, sustainable capsules

• Advice for founders building category-defining products

Shop 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!

In this episode, I’m joined by Hailey Yaffa, founder of DateWorthy—a frozen, date-based snack brand redefining what indulgence looks like with real, high-quality ingredients. Hailey moved to NYC post-grad and began her career in finance before pivoting to create something more meaningful. With a lifelong sweet tooth and a personal history of disordered eating, she became passionate about raising her standards—not just in food, but in every aspect of her life.

Dateworthy is a decadent-yet-clean snack made with organic ingredients: dates, almond butter, banana, dark chocolate, shredded coconut, and a touch of sea salt. It’s designed to satisfy your cravings and remind you to choose better—for yourself and your body.

Inside the Episode:

• How Hailey’s personal journey and shift from finance to food inspired the creation of DateWorthy

• The product development process behind building a frozen snack brand

• Advice for first-time founders creating brands rooted in personal transformation

 

Shop 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!

In this episode, I’m joined by Alyzeh Rizvi, co-founder and CEO of Peepal People—a bold, modern South Asian pantry brand reimagining traditional condiments for the way we eat today. With a background in architecture and product design from RISD, Alyzeh spent years leading brand innovation and impact-driven research at IDEO.org and the Gates Foundation, working with clients like Gallo, Smoothie King, and Coca-Cola. She launched Peepal People in 2021 with a mission to build a more inclusive food aisle—one that centers culture, community, and real flavor.

Peepal People fuses heritage cooking techniques with better-for-you ingredients, creating South Asian condiments with less sodium, sugar, and cholesterol—without compromising taste. What started at the dinner table has evolved into a vibrant, fast-growing brand that’s reshaping how South Asian flavors show up in the modern kitchen.

Inside the Episode:

• How Alyzeh’s design background and cultural roots inspired the vision for Peepal People

• The strategy behind reimagining traditional condiments to meet today’s flavor and health expectations

• Advice for founders building inclusive, culture-forward food brands with impact

Shop 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!

n this episode, I’m joined by Lauren Picasso, CEO and founder of Cure Hydration—the only science-backed, plant-based electrolyte mix with no added sugar. A Harvard MBA and triathlete, Lauren’s own struggle with hydration led her to create a clean, better-for-you solution she couldn’t find on the shelf. She launched Cure in 2019, and today it’s one of the fastest-growing brands in the category, recently ranking 568th on the Inc. 5000’s 2024 list.

Cure is formulated for all ages, delivering daily hydration without compromising on ingredients or taste—offering an alternative to traditional sports drinks with unnecessary sugars and artificial additives.

Inside the Episode:

• How Lauren’s personal experience as an athlete sparked the idea for Cure Hydration

• The strategy behind building a science-backed, plant-based brand that stands out in a crowded hydration category

• Advice for founders scaling a health-focused CPG brand while staying true to clean ingredient standards

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This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds- 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!

n this episode, I’m joined by Maura Duggan, founder of Fancypants Baking Co., a brand baking cookies that feel downright good—made with real, recognizable ingredients and a whole lot of heart. After earning a master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard, Maura found herself drawn back to baking as a way to shake off the stress.

Since 2004, Maura has grown Fancypants into a company known for incredible taste, quality ingredients, and sustainability. Today, their cookies are made with butter and eggs, zero artificial ingredients, and upcycled oat flour—baking with purpose while minimizing waste.

Inside the Episode:

• How Maura launched Fancypants as a fresh baked cookie brand 20+ years ago

• The strategy behind shifting from fresh baked into CPG

• Advice for founders balancing nostalgia, innovation, and positive impact in CPG

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This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds— 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 Jessica Hamel, founder of PlantChi—a brand on a mission to make wellness effortless, rebellious, and packed with real plant power. With over 20 years in branding and experience as a former CPG founder, Jessica is also an ultra-runner and competitive sailor—her drive and passion for performance deeply inform how she approaches nutrition and product development today.

PlantChi’s superseed blends are designed to simplify nutrition: easy to use, packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, and made to sprinkle onto meals without any fuss.

Inside the Episode:

• How Jessica’s journey from founder to athlete shaped her mission to simplify wellness

• The strategy behind creating functional, nutrient-dense products that integrate effortlessly into modern lifestyles

• Advice for emerging founders building brands that prioritize both health and ease for consumers

Shop here!

  This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds- 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 Maria Covarrubias, Mexican-American chef and founder of Cien Chiles, a brand bringing the vibrant flavors of her childhood to kitchens everywhere. Inspired by the wisdom of her Abuela and a desire to share her cultural heritage, Maria created a line of hot sauces that do more than bring heat—they celebrate flavor, creativity, and culture.

Inside the Episode:

• How Maria’s family roots, culinary background, and CPG experience inspired the creation of Cien Chiles

• The philosophy behind “Real Food, Real Flavor” and redefining hot sauce as a culinary art

• Advice for founders turning personal heritage into authentic, market-ready products

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 Amos Golan, founder and CEO of Chunk, a company redefining what’s possible in plant-based meat through cutting-edge fermentation technology. Amos brings an impressive background spanning organic chemistry, human-computer interaction, agtech, biotech, and food innovation—including time leading Ferrero’s Open Innovation team. He’s also a trained chef with a personal passion that deeply influences his approach to product development.

Chunk uses proprietary fermentation techniques to create plant-based meats that deliver a deeply satisfying eating experience, mimicking the texture, color, and taste of traditional meat. Chunk is bringing chefs and foodservice operators a plant-based option with no preservatives, additives, or binders—and raising the bar for quality and innovation in the category.

Inside the Episode:

• How Amos’s diverse background—from biotech to culinary school—shaped his approach to launching Chunk

• The innovation behind Chunk’s proprietary fermentation process and why it’s different from other plant-based meats

• Advice for founders working at the intersection of food and science

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.