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_rYQuhlxqvb9y4I1WpoIGfw

Instagram → 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